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WORKS    ISSUED    BY 


Cl)f  ^nMii})t  ^ofiftK 


VOYAGES   OF   SIE   JAMES   LANCASTER 
TO   THE   EAST   INDIES. 


No.  LVI. 


THE    VOYAGES 


SIR  JAMES  LANCASTER,  K^ 


EAST    INDIES, 


ABSTRACTS   OF    JOURNALS   OP   VOYAGES    TO    THE    EAST    INDIES, 

DURING   THE    SEVENTEENTH   CENTURY',  PRESERVED 

IN    THE   INDIA    OFFICE. 


VOYAGE   OF   CAPTAIN   JOHN   KNIGHT 

(1606), 

TO  SEEK  THE  NORTH-WEST  PASSAGE. 


fEcitcU  bg 

CLEMENTS    E.  MARKHAM,  C.B.,  F.R.S. 


LONDON : 
PRINTED  FOR  THE   HAKLUYT  SOCIETY. 


1IDCCCI.XXVII. 


,  •'<-' 


.>^ 


T.    HICHAUPS,   PlilNTEn,   87,    GREAT  QVUKN  STBTSF.T. 


COUNCIL 


7'HE    HAKLUYT    SOCIETY. 


Colonel  H.  YULE,  C.B.,  President. 

Admikal  C.  R.  DRINKWATER  BETHUNB,  C.B.         ) 

>  Vice-Presidents. 
Majok-Genehal  Sir  HENRY  RAWLINSON,  K.C.B.     j 

W.  A.  TYSSEN  AMHERST,  Esq. 

Rev.  Dr.  G.  P.  BADGER,  D.C.L.,  F.R.G.S. 

J.  BARROW,  Esq.,  P.R.S. 

WALTER  DE  GREY  BIRCH,  Esq. 

E.  A.  BOND,  Esq. 

Admiral  Sir  RICHARD  COLLINSON,  K.C.B. 

Captaiit  CRUTTENDBN. 

AUGUSTUS  W.   FRANKS,  Esq.,  F.R.S, 

W.  E.  FRERE,  Esq.,  C.M.G. 

HENRY  H.  HOWORTH,  Esq. 

JOHN  WINTER  JONES,  Esq.,  F.S.A. 

R.  H.  MAJOR,  Esq.,  P.S.A. 

Sir  CHARLES  NICHOLSON,  Bart.,  D.C.L. 

Admiral  Sir  ERASMUS  OMMANNEY,  C.B.,  F.R.S. 

Captain  PORCHER,  R.N. 

The  Lord  STANLEY  op  Aldeblet, 

EDWARD  THOMAS,  Esq.,  F.R.S. 

CLEMENTS  B.  MARKHAM,  Esq.,  C.B,,  F.R.S.,  Sec. B.G.S.,  Honorary  Secretaht. 


107217 


CONTENTS. 


Dedication. 

PAGE 

lutroduction       .  .  ,  ,  .  .  i 


Narrative  of    the    First   Voyage  of    Sir    James   Lancaster,   by 

Edmund  Barker,  Lieutenant      .  .  .  .1 

■  Narrative  of  the  First  Voyage  of  Sir  James  Lancaster,  by  Henry 

May  .  .  .  .  .  .25 

The  Voyage  of  Captain  James  Lancaster  to  Pernambuco  .       35 

The  Fii-st  Voyage  made  to  East  India  by  Master  James  Lancaster 

(now  Knight)  for  the  Merchants  of  London,  Anno  1600         .       57 


ABSTRACTS. 

The  Voyage  of  Captains  Keelinge  and  Hawkins- 

-    I       . 

.     108 

it                                  11                                  5i 

II 

.     Ill 

1)                                                      11                                                    17 

III 

.     113 

Tlie  Voyage  of  Captain  Sharpeigh —  I 

.     120 

II 

.     126 

The  Sixth  Voyage  set  forth  by  the  East  India  Comjmny  :  In- 
structions to  the  Factors  .  .131 

Commission  to  Sir  Henry  Middletou  for  the  Sixth  Voyage  .     137 


CONTENTS. 

The  Second  Voyage  of  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  being  the  bixth  set 

forth  by  the  East  India  Company  .  ,  ,     145 

Journal  of  the  Sixth  Voyage,  by  Thomas  Love  ,  .     147 

Journal  of  the  Sixth  Voyage,  kept  by  Nicholas  Downton  (1610- 
^    1613)  .  .161 

Journal  of  Ralph  Crosse,  Purser  of  the  Hoseamkr  in  the  Tenth 

Voyage        ....,,     228 

A  Calendar  of  the  Ships'  Journals  preserved  in  the  India  Office 

(written  within  the  seventeoutli  ccutuiy)  .  .     263 

Journal  of  the  Voyage  of  John  Knight  to  seek  the  North-West 

Passage,  1606  .  .  .  .  .281 

A  List  of  Ships  of  the  East  India  Company  (employed  during  the 

Seventeenth  Century)  ....     295 

Index  .  ,  .  .  .  .303 


DEDICATION 


COMMANDER    A.    DUNDAS     TAYLOR 

(lite   H.I.N.). 
SUPERIXTENDEXT  OF  MARINE  SURVEYS  TO  THE  GOVERNMENT  OF  INDIA. 


My  dear  Taylor, 

I  inscribe  to  you,  as  one  who  has,  through  a 
long-  and  useful  career,  been  instrumental  in  upholding' 
the  reputation  of  the  Indian  Navy,  this  volume  containing 
the  narratives  of  voyages  of  some  of  the  earliest  of  your 
predecessors. 

Lancaster,  Middleton,  Downton,  Best,  and  the  other 
famous  seamen  who  showed  England  the  way  to  ,.India, 
commence  the  long  and  glorious  roll  of  public  servants 
who  made  the  history  of  the  Indian  Marine ;  while  the 
great  names  of  Davis  and  Baffin,  famous  alike  in  the 
Arctic  Regions  and  in  the  Indian  Ocean,  stand  at  the 
head  of  the  list  of  Indian  Marine  Surveyors. 

It  has  been  your  good  fortune,  after  that  most  useful 
branch  of  the  Public  Service — the  Indian  Navy — had  been 
recklessly  abolished,  and  after  the  surveys  had  been 
entirely    neglected    for   twelve  years,   to  restore    them    to 

h 


1 


DEDICATION. 


efficiency.  That  you  may  succeed  in  maintaining  that 
efficiency,  and  thus  achieve  a  work  which  I  know  to  be  as 
neai"  to  your  heart,  as  it  is  important  to  the  interests  of 
England  and  of  India,  is  the  earnest  hope  of  your  sincere 
friend  and  well-wisher, 

Clements  R.   Makkham.  ■ 


INTKODUCTION. 


The  Council  of  the  Hakluyt  Society  have  resolved  to 
reprint  the  narratives  of  the  voyages  of  Sir  James 
Lancaster,  from  the  collections  of  Hakluyt  and  Purchas, 
in  order  that  they  may  be  brought  together  in  one 
volume.  Lancaster  was  one  of  the  leadings  seamen  of 
the  reign  of  Elizabeth,  and  he  commanded  the  two 
first  English  voyages  to  the  East  Indies.  He  was 
afterwards  on  the  direction  of  the  East  India  Com- 
pany ;  he  was  a  great  promoter  of  voyages  of  dis- 
covery ;  and,  as  such,  his  name  was  immortalised  by 
William  Baffin,  who  called  one  of  the  chief  portals 
of  the  Arctic  Eegions — "  Sir  James  Lancaster,  his 
Sound". 

We  learn  from  himself  that,  in  his  early  years,  he 
had  been  in  Portugal  in  the  capacities  of  a  soldier  and 
afterwards  of  a  merchant.  In  15.91  he  sailed  on  his 
first  voyage  to  the  East  Indies ;  and  two  accounts  of 
this  adventurous  expedition,  and  of  its  disastrous  ter- 
mination among  the  West  Indian  Islands,  were  pub- 
lished by  Hakluyt.-^  The  first  was  written  by  Hakluyt 
from  the  mouth  of  Edmund  Barker  of  Ipswich,^  a 
lieutenant;  and  the  second  by  Henry May.^  Lancaster 

1  Hakluyt  ii,  Part  ii,  p.  102  (2ncl  edition,  ii,  p.  586) ;  and  iii,  p. 
571  (2nd  edition,  iii,  p.  51). 

-  Page  1.  3  p^gQ  23. 

b  2 


U  INTRODUCTION. 

returned  to  Enojland  in  May  1594,  after  an  absence 
of  more  than  three  years. 

In  the  autumn  of  1594,  Lancaster  was  again  in  com- 
mand of  three  ships  fitted  out  by  Aldermen  of  London, 
with  his  old  lieutenant,  Edmund  Barker,  in  the  vice- 
admiral.  On  this  occasion,  a  successful  piratical 
attack,  in  which  Barker  lost  his  life,  was  made  on  the 
Portuguese  settlement  of  Pernambuco.  The  expedition 
returned  to  Black  wall  in  July  1595.^ 

In  1599,  the  full  report  of  Dr.  Tliorne,  who  resided 
at  Seville,  on  the  advantages  of  a  trade  with  India, 
and  other  information,  including  that  obtained  by 
Lancaster  during  his  first  voyage,  induced  the  mer- 
chants and  adventurers  of  London  to  project  an  expe- 
dition, and  eventually  to  form  a  Company,  with  the 
object  of  establishing  a  trade  with  the  East  Indies. 
A  sum  of  £30,000  was  at  once  subscribed.  On  Oc- 
tober 16th,  1599,  Queen  Elizabeth's  gracious  accept- 
ance of  the  voyage  was  reported,  and  the  Lord 
Treasurer  recommended  Sir  Edward  Michelborne  as 
principal  commander.  But  the  promoters  resolved 
not  to  employ  any  "gentleman"  in  any  place  of  charge 
or  command  in  the  voyage,  because  they  desired  to 
"sort  their  business  with  men  of  their  own  quality". 
All  througli  the  autumn  the  preparations  for  the  voy- 
age were  energetically  pushed  forward,  and  a  total 
sum  of  £72,000  was  subscribed.  On  the  10th  of  De- 
cember, Captain  James  Lancaster  was  appointed 
General  of  the  Fleet,  witli  a  comniission   of  martial 

1  Page  35.  This  is  also  a  reprint  from  Hakluyt,  iii,  p.  709 
(2iid  edition,  iv,  p.  207). 


I^■TIlODUCTION.  111 

law  from  the  Queen.  John  Middleton  was  in  the 
vice-admiral,  and  that  glorious  Arctic  navigator,  John 
Davis,  was  Pilot-Major.  The  sliij)s  were  nearly  ready 
for  sea  when,  on  the  31st  of  December,  1599,  the 
Charter  of  Incorporation  of  the  East  India  Com- 
pany was  granted,  being  a  privilege  for  fifteen  years 
to  certain  adventurers  for  the  discovery  of  the  trade 
for  the  East  Indies,  namely,  George  Clifford,  Earl  of 
Cumberland,  and  215  knights,  aldermen,  and  mer- 
chants. Alderman  Sir  Thomas  Smith  was  chosen  as 
the  first  Governor  of  the  Company,  and  the  names  of 
James  Lancaster  and  John  jMiddleton  appear  among 
those  of  the  twenty-four  Directors. 

All  through  the  month  of  January  1600  the  expedi- 
tion was  being  fitted  out  in  the  Thames.  Each  ship 
was  provided  with  twelve  streamers,  two  flags,  and 
one  ancient.  Stores  and  provisions  of  all  kinds  were 
supplied,  as  well  as  merchandise,  and  merchants  were 
appointed  to  the  difi"erent  ships  to  superintend  the 
trading  operations.  The  Queen  gave  letters  of  recom- 
mendation to  the  Princes  of  India,  and  presents  were 
provided,  consisting  of  "two  fair,  costly  looking- 
glasses",  a  silver  basin  and  ewer,  two  standing  cups, 
four  silver  cups,  and  other  things  of  less  value.  A 
sufiicient  account  of  the  scale  of  victualling,  stores, 
armament,  and  merchandise  for  the  Company's  ships 
in  the  early  voyages,  and  of  their  cost,  has  already 
been  given  by  Mr,  Rundall.^  Mr.  Kichard  Hakluyt 
furnished    much  useful   information  and    instructions 

^  Xarrat'ives  of  Voyages  toioards  the  Nortli-West  (Appendix), 
Hakluyt  Society's  volume  for  1849. 


IV  INTRODUCTION. 

"  touching  the  preparing  of  the  voyage",  and  also 
supplied  three  maps.  The  officers  and  others  received 
"bills  of  adventure"  upon  the  gain  of  the  voyage. 
Thus  the  Pilot-Major,  John  Davis,  was  to  have  £500 
if  the  voyage  yielded  two  for  one,  £1000  if  three  for 
one,  £1500  if  four  for  one,  £2000  if  five  for  one. 

The  expedition  sailed  from  Woolwich  on  the  13th  of 
February  1600,  with  480  men.  The  General,  James 
Lancaster,  was  on  board  the  Dragon.  This  vessel 
was  bought  from  the  Earl  of  Cumberland  for  £3,700, 
her  former  name  having  been  the  Malice  Scourge. 
She  was  launched  on  the  11th  of  December  1599,  and 
rechristened  the  Red  Dragon,  being  a  vessel  of  600 
tons,  with  a  crew  of  202  men.^  John  Middleton  was 
on  board  the  vice-admiral,  the  Hector,  of  300  tons, 
with  a  crew  of  108  men.  The  Ascension,  commanded 
by  William  Brand,  was  a  vessel  of  260  tons,  with  a 
crew  of  82  men  ;  and  the  Susan,  of  240  tons,  under 
John  Heyward,  had  88  men.  The  Guest,  of  130  tons, 
was  added  as  a  victualler. 

The  original  manuscript  journals  of  this  memorable 
voyage  are  lost.  The  narrative,  as  given  by  Purchas, 
is  now  reprinted.^  It  describes  all  the  events  from  the 
departure  of  the  expedition  in  February  1600,  to  its 
return  to  the  Downs  on  the  11th  of  September  1603. 
The  gallant  commander  of  the  expedition  received  the 

1  There  is  a  drawing  of  the  Red  Dragon  under  sail  facing 
page  1  of  Sir  Henry  Middletou's  Voyage,  being  the  Hakluyt 
Society's  volume  for  1855. 

2  Page  57.  See  Purchas,  lib.  in,  cap.  iii,  p.  47 ;  and  Harris,  i, 
p.  62. 


INTRODUCTION.  V 

honour  of  knighthood  and  became  Sir  James  Lancaster. 
He  was  the  founder  of  that  English  trade  with  the 
East  Indies  which  led  to  the  formation  of  the  British 
Empire  of  India.  He  afterwards  served  as  a  Director 
of  the  East  India  Company  in  London,  where  his  great 
experience  was  invaluable  in  preparing  subsequent 
ventures,  and  in  the  general  conduct  of  the  Company's 
affairs.  He  was  still  actively  engaged  on  these  duties 
in  1618. 

The  second  voyage  set  forth  by  the  East  India 
Company  was  commanded  by  Henry  Middleton,  and 
sailed  from  Gravesend  on  the  23rd  of  March  1604. 
Middleton  was  in  the  Dragon,  with  his  brother  David  ; 
his  second  in  command,  Colthurst,  in  the  Hector ;  the 
Ascension  was  commanded  by  Roger  Stiles  ;^  and  the 
Susan  by  AVilliam  Keelinge.  IMiddleton  was  knighted 
on  his  return  in  1606.  This  is  the  only  East  Indian 
voyage  of  the  seventeenth  century  of  which  a  separate 
narrative  was  published.  It  appeared  in  1606,  being 
printed  in  London  for  Walter  Burre  ;  and  Mr.  Bolton 
Corney  suggests  that,  as  Middleton  had  a  daughter 
named  Margaret  Burre,  the  printer  may  have  been 
his  son-in-law.  This  very  rare  book  was  reprinted  for 
the  Hakluyt  Society  in  1855,  and  edited  by  Mr.  Bolton 
Corney.  The  notice  of  the  first  voyage  of  Middleton 
in  Purchas'  is  excessively  meagre,  only  occupying  two 
pages,  probably  in  consequence  of  the  separate  account 
having  been  previously  published. 

Sir  Edward  IMichelborne,  whose  influence  with  the 
Lord   Treasurer   was  great,   but    who  found   so  little 

'  Died  at  Bantam.  -  Book  ni,  chap,  v,  p.  185. 


VI  INTRODUCTION. 

favour  in  the  City,  continued  to  be  a  thorn  in  the  side 
of  the  Company  for  some  years.  In  1601  he  was 
"disfranchised  of  the  freedom  and. privileges  of  this 
fellowship,  and  utterly  disabled  from  taking  any  benefit 
or  profit  thereby."^  But,  in  spite  of  the  Company, 
Michelborne  obtained  a  licence  in  June  1604,  to  dis- 
cover the  countries  of  China  and  Japan  and  to  trade 
with  the  people,  notwithstanding  any  grant  to  the 
Company  to  the  contrary.  The  great  Arctic  navigator 
John  Davis  sailed  with  him  as  pilot  on  board  the 
2'icjer,  and  was  slain  in  a  fight  with  Japanese  junks  on 
the  27th  December  1605.^  He  left  behind  him  some 
valuable  sailing  directions  for  the  voyage  along  the 
Sumatran  coast  from  Achin  to  Tiku  and  Priaman. 
Michelborne  w^as  the  first  of  the  interlopers,  and  his 
conduct,  during  the  voyage,  appears  to  have  done 
no  credit  to  the  English  name.  In  1608  the  Com- 
pany's factor  at  Bantam  reported,  that  "  if  any  more 
such  as  he  be  permitted  to  do  as  he  did  in  these  parts, 
their  state  would  be  very  dangerous",  and  urges  the 
Company  to  "  use  all  prevention  in  this  point". 

The  printing  of  the  four  narratives  of  the  voyages 
of  Sir  James  Lancaster  suggested  an  examination  of 
the  manuscript  journals  of  voyages  which  are  still 
preserved  at  the  India  Ofiice,  and  a  collation  of  the 
earlier  documents  with  the  abstracts  given  byPurchas. 
In  the  present  volume,  the  voyages  of  Lancaster  are. 
followed  by  a  calendar  of  all  the  manuscript  journals 

'  Calendar  of  State  Papers  (East  India),  1513-1616,  para.  292. 
2  See  accounts  of  Micholborno's  voyage  in  Purchas,  vol.  i,  Book 
ni,  p.  132  ;  and  Harris,  i,  p.  bo. 


INTKODUCTION.  vii 

of  voyages  during  the  seventeenth  century  now  in  the 
India  Office,  while  abstracts  of  a  few  of  the  most  in- 
teresting are  given  in  considerable  detail.  Notices  of 
the  manuscripts  will  be  found  in  the  foot-notes. 

I  will  now  proceed  to  give  some  account  of  the 
materials  tliat  have  escaped  destruction,  and  of  the 
abstracts  given  in  Piirchas.  On  the  formation  of  the 
East  India  Company,  their  historical  and  geographical 
documents  were  entrusted  to  Richard  Hakluyt,  who 
had  completed  his  Princijml  Navigations  in  1600,  and 
was  made  Archdeacon  of  Westminster  in  1603.  He 
thus  had  charge  of  the  journals  of  all  the  East  India 
voyages,  from  1600  to  the  date  of  his  death,  in  1616. 
In  about  1620,  four  years  after  Hakluyt's  death,  these 
journals  and  logs  came  into  the  hands  of  the  Rev. 
tSamnel  Purchas,  having,  in  all  probability,  been  en- 
trusted to  him  by  Sir  Thomas  Smith,  the  first  governor 
of  the  company,  for  publication.  Unfortunately  Pur- 
chas, instead  of  doing  this,  resolved  to  abridge  and 
epitomise  his  materials,  and,  in  this  form,  he  published 
them  in  four  folio  volumes  in  1625,  with  the  well- 
known  title  Hakluyt  us  Posthumus,  or  Purchas  his 
Pilgriiiies.  The  Indian  voyages  are  given  in  the  first 
volume,  books  iii,  iv,  and  v.  This  method  of  treatment 
would  not,  as  Mr.  Bolton  Corney  has  observed,  have 
been  objectionable  if  due  care  had  been  taken  to 
preserve  the  original  manuscripts.  Sir  Thomas  Smith 
died  in  the  year  that  the  Pilgrimes  were  published, 
on  September  4,  1625,  and  Purchas  followed  him  in 
1G26.  From  that  time  these  priceless  materials  for 
the   opening  chapter  of  the  history  of  British  India 


Vlll  INTRODUCTION. 

have  been  neglected.  Many  of  the  manuscripts  are 
lost,  and  those  that  survive  are  sadly  injured  by  damp 
and  rats.  Subsequent  historians  have  never  made  use 
of  them,  but  have  contented  themselves  with  the 
meagre  and  careless  abstracts  given  by  Purchas. 

The  manuscript  journals  of  the  voyages  of  Lancaster 
and  Middletou,  the  two  first  set  forth  by  the  Company, 
have  disappeared.  The  oldest  existing  manuscripts 
in  the  India  Office  are  fragments  of  three  journals 
kept  during  the  third  voyage  (1606-1609),  which  was 
commanded  by  Captains  Keelinge  and  Hawkins.  Pur- 
chas gives  abstracts  of  two  journals  of  this  third  voyage, 
that  of  Keelinge,  from  the  document  preserved  in  the 
India  Ofiice.  The  first,  in  Purchas,  is  an  abstract  of 
Keelinge's  journal,  occupying  18  pages ;^  but  Purchas 
tells  us  that  the  original  was  very  voluminous,  and 
that  he  has  "  beene  bold  so  to  shorten,  as  to  expresse 
only  the  most  necessary  observations  for  sea  or  land 
afi"aires."  The  second,  also  much  abridged,  is  the  im- 
portant narrative  of  Captain  Hawkins,  commanding 
the  Hector,  who  was  the  first  Englishman  to  obtain  a 
concession  for  trading  from  the  Great  Mogul.  It  also 
occupies  18  pages.~  The  manuscript  of  the  journal 
of  Hawkins  is  lost. 

In  the  present  volume  I  have  given  abstracts  of  the 
three  manuscripts  in  the  India  Office  which  relate  to 
the  third  voyage.^  One  consists  of  4 J  pages;  the  second 
of  32-|  pngcs,  those  between  the  dates  August  30th, 
1607,  and  February  28th,  1608,  having  been  torn  out; 

'  Book  IV,  cap.  vi,  ji.  188.  -  Book  iii,  cap.  vii,  p.  206. 

•*  See  pages  108  to  110. 


INTRODUCTION.  ix 

and  the  fourth,  of  59|-  pages,  being  a  journal  kept  by 
John  Hcarn  and  William  Finch,  containinsf  some 
sketches  of  coasts  and  headlands.  It  breaks  off  when 
the  ships  were  at  Socotra  on  their  way  out. 

The  circumstance  of  the  second  of  these  journals  of 
the  third  voyage,  w^hich  was  kept  on  board  the  Dragon^ 
having  had  several  pages  torn  out,  calls  for  special  re- 
mark for  the  following  reason.  Mr.  Rundall,  who  was 
a  clerk  in  the  India  Office,  in  the  appendix^  to  the 
volume  edited  by  him  for  the  Hakluyt  Society  in  1849 
[Narratives  of  Voyages  towards  the  North-West), 
says  that  the  following  entry  occurs  in  the  journal  of 
the  Dragon,  Captain  Keelinge's  ship,  and  in  a  foot-note 
he  refers  to  East  India  MSS.,  showing  that  in  1849  the 
journal  was  intact. 

1607. 
September  4  (at  Serra  Leona).  Towai'ds  night  the  kinges 
interp'ter  came,  and  brought  me  a  letter  from 
the  Portingall,  wher  in  (like  the  faction)  he 
offered  me  all  kindly  services.  The  bearer  is  a 
man  of  maruailous  redie  witt,  and  speakes  in 
eloquent  Portugues.     He  layt  abord  me. 

„  5.  I  sent  the  interpreter,  according  to  his  desier, 
abord  the  Hector,  whear  he  brooke  fast,  and 
after  came  abord  mee,  wher  we  gave  the 
tragedie  of  Hamlett. 

„  30.  Captain  Hawkins  dined  with  me,  wher  my 
com-panions  acted  King  Richard  the  Second. 

„  31.  1  envited  Captain  Hawkins  to  a  ffishe  dinner, 
and  had  Hamlet  acted  abord  me,  w'^^  I  iimitt 
to  heejje  my  inoph  from  idlenes  and  unlavfall 
games,  or  sleepe. 

'  Page  231. 


X  INTKODUCTION. 

Now  it  is  obvious  that  these  entries  are  of  very  great 
literary  importance,  for  they  record  one  of  the  earliest 
performances  of  Hamlet  after  the  first  publication  of 
that  play  in  1604.^  They  have  been  abstracted  from 
the  ^manuscript  volume  since  1849,  together  with  all 
the  pages  containing  entries  between  August  30th, 
1607,  and  February  19th,  1607(8).  In  the  third  frag- 
ment^ there  are  entries  for  the  days  on  which  the  plays 
were  acted,  but  no  mention  of  the  performance.  Owing 
to  the  robbery  of  these  leaves  of  the  manuscript,  there 
is  now  no  contemporary  evidence  of  the  interesting 
fact  that  the  play  of  Hamlet  was  acted  by  Captain 
Keeliuge's  sailors  at  Sierra  Leone  in  the  autumn  of  1 60  7. 
The  only  evidence  is  the  quotation  from  the  original 
document  made  by  Mr.  Kundall  before  the  robbery 
took  place. 

The  fourth  East  Indian  expedition  (1608)  consisted 
of  the  Ascension,  commanded  by  Captain  Sharpeigh, 
and   the  Union,  under  Captain  Eichard  Rowles.     It 

1  The  earliest  allusion  to  a  play  of  Hamlet  was  made  by  Nash 
in  1589.  Malone  did  not  think  that  this  was  Shakespeare's  play, 
but  an  earlier  performance.  In  1602,  "The  Tragicall  Historic  of 
Hamlet,  Prince  of  Denmark",  was  entered  in  the  Stationers' Regis- 
ters. But  the  earliest  known  edition  is  that  of  1603,  of  which 
two  copies  are  extant,  Mr.  Furness  thinks  that  there  was  an  old 
play  on  the  story  of  Hamlet  which  Shakespeare  remodelled  for  the 
stage  in  1602,  and  that  this  is  the  same  as  the  edition  of  1603, 
while  the  edition  of  1604  is  the  first  edition  of  Shakespeare's 
Hamlet.  So  great  was  the  popularity  of  the  play,  that  another 
edition  was  pi'inted  in  1605,  which  was,  no  dyubt,  the  one  used 
by  Captain  Keelinge's  men.  The  next  edition  did  not  come  out 
until  1611.     Richard  II  appeared  earlier,  in  1597. 

"  An  abstract  of  this  MS.  is  given  at  page  113. 


INTRODUCTION.  XI 

was  very  unfortunate.  Tlie  two  ships  were  separated 
off  the  Cape ;  the  Ascension  was  wrecked  in  the  Bay 
of  Cambay,  and  the  Union,  after  great  disasters,  was 
met  at  Madagascar  by  Sir  Henry  Middleton  in  IGIO/ 
Purchas  ojives  three  documents  relatino^  to  the  fourth 
voyage.  The  first  is  an  abridgment  of  a  narrative 
of  the  Ascensions  cruise,  by  T.  Jones,  occupying 
3 1  pages.  The  second  is  an  account  of  a  journey  by 
one  of  the  shipwrecked  seamen,  named  William  Nicols, 
who  made  his  way  overland  to  Masulipatam  (one-fourth 
of  a  page) ;  and  the  third  is  an  account  of  the  voyage 
of  the  Union  by  Samuel  Bradshaw  (1^  page).  In  the 
India  Office  collection  there  are  two  documents  re- 
lating to  the  fourth  voyage.  The  first^  consists  of  75|- 
manuscript  pages,  of  which  60^  are  the  journal  proper, 
and  the  rest  include  twenty-five  letters  from  Captain 
Sharpeigh,  while  detained  at  Aden.  The  second  is 
comprised  in  6f  pages,^  being  a  letter  from  Captain 
Sharpeigh  to  the  Directors.  Neither  of  these  two 
documents  appears  to  have  been  used  by  Purchas. 

The  fifth  voyage  was  commanded  by  David  Middle- 
ton,  a  brother  of  Sir  Henry.  It  consisted  of  only  one 
ship,  the  Consent,  of  150  tons,  which  sailed  from  Til- 
bury Hope  on  the  12th  of  March  1606,  and  returned 
with  a  full  lading  of  cloves.  Purchas  only  gives  a 
very  meagre  abstract  of  3|-  pages;  and  there  is  no 
manuscript  relating  to  David  Middletou's  voyage  in 
the'India  Office  collection. 

1  See  page  160. 

2  An  abstract  of  it  is  given  at  page  1 20. 
^  Abstract  at  page  126. 


XIV  INTRODUCTION. 

by  John  Davy,  the  Master  (4  pages),  but  there  is  no 
record  of  this  voyage  at  the  India  Office. 

The  tenth  voyage  was  commanded  by  Captain 
Thomas  Best,  and  consisted  of  four  ships — the  Hose- 
ander,  Hector,  James,  and  Solomon,  which  sailed  from 
Gravesend  in  February  1612.  From  this  voyage  dates 
the  establishment  of  permanent  English  factories  on  the 
coast  of  India ;  and  it  was  Captain  Best  who  secured 
a  regular  firman  for  trade  from  the  Great  Mogul. 
Purchas  gives  an  extract  of  10  pages  from  the  journal 
of  Best  himself,^  and  certain  observations  written  by 
others  employed  in  the  voyage.^  In  the  India  Office 
collection  there  is  the  manuscript  journal  of  Captain 
Best,  which  was  used  by  Purchas^  (46  pages),  and  the 
journal  of  Ralph  Crosse,  the  purser  of  the  Hoseander 
(6  7 J  pages)^  besides  a  manuscript  of  66  pages,  coutaiu- 
iog  extracts  from  various  logs,  two  of  which  refer  to 
Best's  voyage.^ 

The  eleventh  voyage,  so  called,  is  merely  that  of  the 
ship  Solomo7i  in  Best's  fleet.  Purchas  gives  extracts 
from  the  journal  of  Ralph  Wilson,  one  of  the  mates  of 
the  Solomon,  comprising  1|-  page. 

The  twelfth  voyage  was  commanded  by  Christopher 
Newport,^  and  left  Gravesend  in  1612.  Newport's  ship, 
t\iQ Expedition,  of  260  tons,  had  the  Persian  ambassador 


1  Lib.  IV,  cap.  vii,  p.  i.jG. 

2  Ihid.,  p.  466.  3  See  page  264. 
*  See  page  248.                                                .   &  See  page  265. 

^  Christophei'  Newport  comtnanded  a  fleet  of  three  ships,  which 
went  to  the  West  Indies  in  1591,  and  burnt  three  towns  and  nine- 
teen -Spanish  ships  (Hakluyt,  2nJ  edition,  iii,  p.  48), 


INTRODUCTION.  XV 

on  board.  This  was  the  famous  Sir  Eobert  Sherley, 
with  his  Circassian  wife  Teresia,  and  several  Eiiclish 
and  Persian  followers.  Purchas  gives  an  account  of 
this  voyage  from  extracts  of  the  journal  of  AValter 
Payton,  who  was  on  board  (12  pages).  There  is  no 
record  of  this  voyage  at  the  India  Office. 

The  next  voyage  was  that  commanded  by  Captain 
Downton,  which  Purchas  calls  the  "Second  Joint-Stock 
Voyage",  but  it  appears  to  have  been  the  first.  It 
consisted  of  the  Nqw  Years  Gift,  the  Hector,  the 
Merchant  Hope,  and  the  Solomo7i;  and  sailed  from 
England  in  March  1613.  This  expedition  of  Downton 
is  famous  for  a  great  success  gained  over  the  Por- 
tuguese fleet.  Purchas  gives  11^  pages  of  extracts 
from  the  journal  of  Captain  Downton,^  wdio  died  at 
Bantam  on  August  6tb,  1615;  and  also  some  notes  of 
the  voyage  of  Martin  Pring,  who  served  under  Down- 
ton.  Downton  was  succeeded  by  Captain  Elkington; 
and  Purchas  gives  an  extract  of  two  pages  from  that 
officer's  journal,  and  another  of  three  pages  from 
some  memoranda  of  Edward  Dodsworth,  chief  mer- 
chant of  the  second  joint-stock  voyage  under  Captain 
Keelinge  (1614-15).  Dodsworth's  journal  of  54  manu- 
script pages  is  preserved  in  the  India  Office  collection.^ 
There  is  also  another  manuscript  journal  of  this  voyage, 
kept  by  John  Monden,  master's  mate  of  the  Hector, 
consisting  of  53  pages. ^ 

Purchas  gives  extracts  from  the   journal  of  Cap- 
tain   Walter     Payton,    who     commanded     the    fleet 

1  Lib.  IV,  cap.  xi,  page  500. 

'■^  See  page  265.  3  g^e  page  2GG. 

0 


XVI  INTRODUCTION. 

which  took  Sir  Thomas  Roe  out  to  India  in  1614 
(8  pages)/  of  which  there  is  no  record  among  the  India 
Office  manuscripts. 

The  voyage  commanded  by  Andrew  Shilling  in 
1619,  is  memorable,  because  that  great  Arctic  explorer 
and  navigator  William  Baffin  served  in  the  fleet.  Pur- 
chas  gives  extracts  from  the  journal  of  Richard  Swan, 
master  of  the  Roehuch,  one  of  the  ships  of  Shilling's 
fleet.^  In  the  India  Office  there  are  two  manuscript 
journals  of  Shilling's  voyage,  one  by  Archibald  Jenni- 
son  (37-|^  pages),  and  the  other  by  Richard  Swan' 
(68  pages),  which  was  used  by  Purchas. 

There  are  some  other  unimportant  extracts  in  Purchas 
which  are  not  in  the  India  Office,  and  the  rest  of  the 
seventeenth  century  manuscripts  in  the  India  Office 
collection  have  not  been  used  by  Purchas.  An  account 
of  them  will  be  found  from  pages  266  to  277  of  the 
present  volume.* 

'  Lib.  IV,  cap.  xv,  page  528. 

2  Lib.  V,  cap.  vxi,  page  723.  ^  See  page  269. 

*  The  following  is  a  list  of  ships'  journals  of  voyages  to  the  East 
Indies  from  which  Purchas  gives  extracts  in  his  Pilgrimes. 
Harris  copied  niost  of  them  into  his  collection.  Those  with  an 
asterisk  are  still  preserved  at  the  India  Office  : — 

1.  The  first  voyage,  commanded  by  Lancaster  ...Vol.  I,  Lib.iii,cap.  3,  p.  147. 

2.  The  second  voyage,  „  H.  Middleton ,     cap.  5.  p.  185. 

3.  The  third  voyage,  „  Keeliuge  &  Hawkins       „     cap.  6,  7,  p.  188. 

4.  The  fourth  voyage,  „  Sharpeigh... 3  accounts        cap.  9,  p.  228. 

5.  The  fifth  voyage,  „  David  Middleton  . . .  Lib.  iii,  cap.  8,  p.  226. 

6.  The  sixth  voyage,  „  H.  Middleton    „     cap.  11,  p.  247. 

„  „  „  *N.  Dowuton „     cap.  12,  p.  274. 

7.  The  seventh  voyage,         „  Anthony  Hippon...       „     cap.  13,  p.  314. 

„  „  „  *  Journal  of  Floris...       ,,     cap.  14,  p.  319. 

8.  The  eighth  voyage,  „  John  Saris    Lib.  iv,  caps.  1  and  2. 

9.  The  ninth  voyage,  „  Edmund  Marlowe...        „     cap.  5,  p.  440. 


INTRODUCTION.  XVll 

I  take  tliis  opportunity  of  expressing  my  thanks  to 
Mr.  Handcock,  of  the  State  Paper  Office,  for  his 
valuable  assistance  in  deciphering  and  making  ab- 
stracts of  the  earlier  logs  of  the  seventeenth  century 
in  the  India  Office. 

The  present  volume  concludes  with  a  document  re- 
lating to  a  very  different  part  of  the  world,  which  was, 
however,  very  closely  connected  with  the  early  history 
of  the  East  India  Company.  This  is  the  journal  of  the 
voyage  of  John  Knight  to  seek  the  North- West  Passage 
in  1606.  The  original  manuscript  was  found  in  the 
India  Office  amongst  a  heap  of  waste  paper,  and  was 
thus  rescued  from  destruction.  It  is  marked  No.  19 
of  some   lost   series,   which  probably  included  other 


10.  SailingdirectionsfortheEastIndies,byJohnDavis...Lib.  iv,  cap.  6,  p.  444. 

11.  Theteuthvoyage,commaudedby*Thomas  Best    „  cap.  7,  p.  456, 

„             „                     „             Observations  by  others  „  cap.  8,  p.  466. 

12.  The  eleventh  voyage,       „             Ral^A  Wilson   „  cap.  9,  p.  486. 

13.  The  tweKth  voyage,         „             Christopher  Newport  „  cap.  10,  p.  448. 

14.  Joint-Stock  voyage,          „             Downton  „  cap.  11,  p.  500. 

„             „                     „             Elkiugton „  cap.  12,  p.  514. 

„             „                     „           *Dods\vorth    „  cap.  12,  p.  510. 

15.  A  voyage  in  1614,            „             John  Milward  „  cap.  14,  p.  524. 

1 5.  Voyage  of  Captain  Walter  Peyton     „  cap.  15,  p.  528. 

16.  Notes  from  the  Journal  of  Alex.  Childe  Lib.  v,  cap.  2,  p.  606. 

17.  Voyage  of  the  Anne  Royal  (1618)..., „  cap.  5,  p.  622. 

18.  Two  voyages  of  Martin  Pring     „  caps.  6  and  7. 

19.  Proceedings  of  Sii- Thomas  Dale    „  cap.  7,  p.  637. 

20.  Discourse  of  William  Hore's  voyage „  cap.  8,  p.  656. 

21.  Journal  of  Nathaniel  CourthoriJ     „  cap.  9,  p.  664. 

,,                 „                 „                „  cap.  10,  p.  679. 

22.  Narrative  of  Captain  Fitzherbert  „  cap.  13,  p.  697. 

23.  *  Voyage  of  Captain  Shilling,  by  Richard  Swan   ....  „  cap.  16,  p.  723. 

24.  Discourse  of  trade  to  the  East  Indies,  by  T.  Mun  „  cap.  17,  p.  732. 

Purchas  also  gives  the  journal  of  the  ship  Pearl,  an  interloper 
(1612),  of  which  Samuel  Castleton  of  London  was  captain,  written 
by  John  Tatton,  master  (iii,  cap.  xv,  p.  328). 


XVUl  INTRODUCTION. 

priceless  Arctic  journals.  This  one  has  alone  escaped. 
It  was  once  in  the  hands  of  Purchas,  for  he  gives  ex- 
tracts from  it  occupying  4|-  pages  ;^  and  a  collation  of 
the  original  manuscript  with  his  version,  affords  a 
good  example  of  the  way  in  which  the  Rev.  Samuel 
dealt  with  his  materials. 

Captain  Way  mouth's  Arctic  expedition  and  others, 
as  well  as  that  of  Captain  Knight,  were  despatched  by 
the  East  India  Company  ;  but  Captain  Knight  was 
originally  connected  with  the  Danish  expeditions  to 
Greenland  of  the  seventeenth  century,  and  it  will  be 
well  to  glance  briefly  at  his  antecedents. 

On  the  2nd  of  May  1605,  an  expedition  sailed  from 
Copenhagen  consisting  of  two  ships  and  a  pinnace, 
with  the  object  of  re-discovering  Greenland.  The  com- 
mander was  John  Cunningham,  a  Scottish  gentleman 
in  the  service  of  the  King  of  Denmark,  who  was  on 
board  the  Frost — a  vessel  of  the  burden  of  40  or  50 
lasts,  and  James  Hall  served  under  him  as  pilot.  The 
Lyon  carried  the  Vice-Admiral,  a  Dane  named  Lin- 
denow,  and  John  Knight  commanded  the  pinnace.  X)n 
the  30th  of  May  they  sighted  very  high  land  in  59" 
50'  N.,  which  they  called  Cape  Christian,  but  could  not 
approach  it,  owing  to  the  quantity  of  ice.  The  Lijon 
here  parted  company  to  return  home.  The  Frost  and 
pinnace,  under  Cunningham,  Hall,  and  Knight,  pro- 
ceeded northwards,  and  on  the  12th  of  June  they 
sighted  very  high  land  on  the  west  coast  of  Gi-een- 
land,  which  was  named  Mount  Cunningham.  Then, 
approaching  the  land  between  two  capes,  that  to  the 

'  Tliinl  Part,  lib.  iv,  caj).  xvi,  p.  127. 


INTRODUCTIOX.  XIX 

soutli  was  called  Cape  Anne,  after  the  Queen  of  Den- 
mark, and  the  other  Cape  Sophia,  after  the  queen 
mother.  Thus  they  entered  a  goodly  bay,  "which  they 
named  King  Christian's  Fjord ;  and,  sailing  up  it  for 
several  leagues,  they  anchored  in  2  6  fathoms.  Eskimos 
Avere  met  with,  and  Hall  gives  an  interesting  account 
of  them,  and  of  their  country.  He  named  a  group  of 
islets  off  Cape  Sophia  the  Knight  Islands.  A  headland 
was  called  Burnil's  Cape^  (Brunei's  ?)  probably  after  the 
eminent  Dutch  navigator,  Oliver  Brunei,  who  was  in 
the  Danish  service  at  this  time.  The  expedition  re- 
turned to  Copenhagen  in  August  of  the  same  year. 

John  Knight  then  left  Denmark  and  returned  to 
England,  and  there  is  some  reason  for  thinking  that 
Oliver  Brunei  went  with  him. 

Hall  remained  in  the  Danish  service,  and  was  in 
a  second  expedition  with  Cunningham  and  Lindenow. 
He  sighted  the  American  coast  in  58°  30'  N.  on  July 
9th,  1606,  and  afterwards  revisited  Greenland,  return- 
ing to  Copenhagen  in  October.  In  a  third  expedition 
in  1607,  Hall's  crew  mutinied,  and  forced  him  to  put 
back.  After  this  he  left  Denmark,  and  in  1612  took 
command  of  an  expedition  to  Greenland,  set  forth  by 
English  adventurers  from  Hull,  an  account  of  which 
was  written  by  William  Baffin.  They  reached  a  bay, 
which  Hall  named  Cockin's  Fiord,  in  remembrance  of 
Alderman  Cockin;  and  here  Baffin  made  some  inter- 
esting calculations  for  difference  of  longitude.  But 
Captain  Hall  was  murdered  by  an  Eskimo  out  of  re- 

•  Not   Caj-ie   Burnit,    as    incorrectly    given    in    the    Admiralty 
chart. 


XX  INTRODUCTION. 

venge  for  a  relation  who  was  kidnapped  in  one  of  the 
former  voyages.  He  died  on  the  23rd  of  July,  and 
was  buried  on  one  of  the  Knight  Islands.  The  ex- 
pedition then  returned  to  Hull.  Baffin  mentions  that 
on  the  banks  of  a  fiord,  which  they  named  Ball's 
River,^  there  were  shrubs  six  or  seven  feet  high,  and 
much  angelica. 

We  now  return  to  John  Knight,  who  was  employed, 
on  his  return  to  England,  by  the  East  India  merchants 
to  discover  the  North- West  Passage.  He  sailed  from 
Gravesend  in  the  Hoioewell,  of  40  tons,  on  April  18th, 
1606,  and  it  is  supposed  that  Oliver  Brunei  went  with 
him.  The  history  of  Brunei,  the  first  of  the  Dutch 
Arctic  navigators,  has  been  elucidated  with  much 
ability  and  research  by  the  historian  S.  j\luller,  and  by 
Lieutenant  Koolemans  Beynen  of  the  Dutch  Navy  in 
his  introduction  to  the  second  edition  of  the  voyages 
of  Barents,  printed  for  the  Hakluyt  Society.^  It  is 
certain  that,  after  the  failure  of  the  voyage  under- 
taken by  Brunei,  which  sailed  from  Enkhuyzen  in 
1584,  that  indefatigable  explorer  offered  his  services  to 
Christian  II  of  Denmark,  proposing  to  find  the  long- 
lost  Greenland  colonics.  He  probably  served  in  Hall's 
first  voyage,  when  Cape  BruneP  was  named  after  him; 
and  Lieutenant  Beynen  thinks  it  by  no  means  impos- 
sible that  he  left  Denmark  with  Knight,  and  sailed 
with  that  navigator  in  the  Hopewell  in  1606.^ 

^  Since  incorrectly  called  Baal's  river. 

2  See  Barents  (2nd  edition^  p.  xiv. 

3  Erroneonsly  printed  on  the  Admiralty  chart  as  '*  Cape  Buruit". 
^  Introdnction  to  Barents  (2nd  edition),  p.  xvi. 


INTRODUCTION.  XXI 

The  journal  of  Captain  Knight  describes  the  voyage 
of  the  Hopeioell  across  the  Atlantic^  until  the  coast  of 
Labrador  was  sighted  near  the  position  of  the  modern 
settlement  of  Nain.  The  manuscript,  which  is  in 
Knight's  own  hand,  ceases  abruptly  on  the  26th  of 
June.  A  postscript  follows,  describing  how  Captain 
Knight  and  others  landed,  on  that  day,  on  a  great 
island.  He,  his  mate,  his  brother,  and  one  more, 
went  on  shore,  leaving  two  men  in  the  boat.  They 
walked  over  a  hill,  and  were  never  seen  nor  heard  of 
again.  The  postscript  in  the  manuscript  is  different 
from  that  in  Purchas,  the  latter  being  much  longer. 
The  Purchas  postscript  describes  how  the  people  were 
afterwards  attacked  by  savages;  how  they  got  out  of 
the  bay,  and  reached  Newfoundland,  where  they  ob- 
tained succour;  and  how  they  eventually  arrived  at 
Dartmouth  on  the  29th  of  September  1606.  "The 
rest  of  this  journal,  from  the  death  of  Master  John 
Knight,  was  written  by  Oliver  Browne,^  one  of  the 
company."  With  these  words  the  postscript  in  Pur- 
chas ends,  and  Mr.  Muller  suggests  that  the  I  in 
Brovmel  has  been  omitted  through  a  typographical 
error.  There  is  certainly  some  reason  for  the  sup- 
position that  the  writer  of  the  melancholy  postscript 
to  Knight's  voyage  was  identical  with  the  Dutch  navi- 
gator whose  history  has  been  so  diligently  brought  to 
light  by  the  historian  S.  Muller  Fr.,  and  by.  Lieutenant 
Koolemans  Beynen. 

Arctic  exploration  is  so  important  and  useful,  and 

^  See  page  281. 

-  Browuel  is  the  recognised  English  equivalent  for  Brunei. 


XXll  INTRODUCTION. 

the  enterprises  connected  with  it  form  such  noble  and 
heart-stirring  episodes  in  our  history,  that  every  frag- 
ment relating  to  them  should  be  looked  upon  with 
veneration.  This  old  manuscript  record  has,  therefore, 
been  printed  as  a  contribution  towards  the  more  com- 
plete history  of  English  Arctic  adventure.  It  fitly 
concludes  a  volume  containing  narratives  of  East 
Indian  voyages,^  because,  in  its  earliest  and  best  days, 
much  precious  Arctic  work  was  undertaken  and 
achieved  by  the  English  East  India  Company. 

^  Fostsc)i2)t. — William  Mace  of  Radcliffe,  the  Master  of  Lancas- 
ter's ship,  the  Edward,  in  his  first  voyage  (see  pages  6  and  2Q), 
who  was  killed  at  the  Comoro  Islands,  had  formerly  commanded 
an  expedition  of  his  own.  In  1589  he  made  a  voyage  to  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  in  the  ship  Dog  (70  tons),  and  took  several  Spanish 
prizes.  On  one  occasion,  when  he  and  some  of  his  people  went  on 
board  a  ship  which  had  surrendered,  the  Spaniards  ti'eacherously 
attacked  them,  and  Mace  only  escaped  by  jumping  overboard  and 
swimming  to  his  own  ship.  See  Hakluyt,  iii,  p.  39  (2nd  edition). 
The  Dog  returned  to  London  in  the  same  year,  1589. 


;\'r^  ) 


•;v 


NARRATIVE  OF  THE  FIRST  VOYAGE 

OP 

SIE    JAMES    LANCASTEK 

BY 

EDMUND   BARKER,  Lieutenant. 


A  voyage  with  three  tall  ships — the  Penelope^  Admirall ;  the  MarcTiant 
Ruijal,  Vice-Admirall ;  and  the  Edward  Bonaventure,  Rere-admirall, 
— to  the  East  Indies,  by  the  Cape  of  Buona  Sperausa,  to  Quitangone, 
neere  INIosambique,  to  the  lies  of  Comoro  and  Zanzibar,  on  the  backe- 
side  of  Africa,  and  beyond  Cape  Comori  in  India,  to  the  lies  of 
Nicubar  and  of  Gomes  Pulo,  within  two  leagues  of  Sumatra,  to  the 
Hands  of  Pulo  Pinaom,  and  thence  to  the  maine  land  of  Malacca, 
begunne  by  M.  George  Raymond,  in  the  yeere  1591,  and  performed 
by  ^I.  James  Lancaster,  and  written  from  the  mouth  of  Edmund 
Barker^  of  Ipswich,  his  lieutenant,  in  sayd  voyage,  by  M.  Richard 
Hakluyt. 

Our  fleet  of  tlie  tliree  tall  sliips  above  named  departed  from 
Plimmouth  tlie  lOth  of  April,  1591,  and  arrived  at  the 
Canarie-islands  the  25  of  the  same,  fro  whence  we  departed 
the  29  of  April.  The  second  of  May  we  were  in  the  height 
of  Cape  Blanco.  The  fift  we  passed  the  tropique  of  Cancer. 
The  eight  we  were  in  the  height  of  Cape  Verde.  All  this 
time  we  went  with  a  faire  winde  at  north-east,  always  before 
the  winde  untill  the  13  of  the  same  moneth,  when  we  came 
within  8'  degrees  of  the  Equinoctiall  line,  where  we  met 
with  a  contrary  winde.  Here  we  lay  off  and  on  in  the  sea 
untill  the  sixt  of  June,  on  which  day  we  passed  the  sayd 
line.  While  we  lay  thus  off  and  on,  we  took  a  Portugal 
carawel  laden  by  marchants  of  Lisbon  for  Brasile,  in  which 

B 


2  OCCASIONS    OF    SICKNESS    NEAR   THE    LINE. 

carauel  we  had  some  60  tunnes  of  wine,  1200  iarres  of  oyle, 
about  100  iarres  of  olives,  certaine  barrels  of  capers,  three 
fats  of  peason,  with  clivers  other  necessaries  fit  for  our 
voyage  :  which  wine,  oyle,  olives  and  capers  were  better  to 
vs  than  gold.  We  had  two  men  died  before  we  passed  the 
line,  and  divers  sicke,  which  tooke  their  sicknesse  in  those 
hote  climates ;  for  they  be  wonderful  unwholesome  from  8 
degrees  of  Northerly  latitude  unto  the  line,  at  that  time  of 
the  yeere :  for  we  had  nothing  but  Tornados,  with  such 
thunder,  lightning  and  raine,  that  we  could  not  keep  our 
men  drie  3  houres  together,  which  was  an  occasion  of  the 
infection  among  them,  and  their  eating  of  salt  victuals,  with 
lacke  of  clothes  to  shift  them.  After  we  passed  the  line,  we 
had  the  wind  still  at  east  south-east,  which  caried  us  along 
the  coast  of  Brasil,  100  leagues  from  the  maine,  till  we  came 
in  26  degrees  to  the  southward  of  the  line,  where  the  wind 
came  up  to  the  north,  at  which  time  we  did  account  that 
the  Cape  of  Buona  Espei'ansa  did  beare  off  us  east  and  by 
south,  betwixt  900  and  1000  leagues.  Passing  this  gulfe 
from  the  coast  of  Brasil  vnto  the  Cape,  we  had  the  wind 
often  variable,  as  it  is  vpon  our  coast,  but  for  the  most  part 
so  that  we  might  lie  our  course.  The  28  of  July  we  had 
sight  of  the  foresayd  Cape  of  Buona  Esperansa :  vntill  the 
31  wee  lay  off  and  on,  with  the  wind  contrary,  to  double  the 
Cape,  hoping  to  double  it,  and  so  to  have  gone  seventie 
leagues  further,  to  a  place  called  Agoada  de  S.  Bras,^  before 
we  would  have  sought  to  have  put  into  any  harbour.  But 
our  men  being  weake  and  sicke  in  all  our  shippes,  we 
thought  good  to  seeke  some  place  to  refresh  them.  With 
which  consent  we  bare  up  to  the  land  to  the  northward  of 

>  Bartolome  Dias,  with  two  vessels,  sailed  from  Lisbon  for  the  south 
in  August  148G,  and  was  the  first  European  to  double  the  Cape.  In 
proceeding  eastward,  he  reached  the  bay,  wliich  he  named  San  Bras, 
where,  in  attempting  to  take  in  water,  he  was  attacked  by  the  natives. 
This  is  what  Lancaster  calls  the  Agoada  (watering-place)  de  S.  Bras. 


GREAT    STORE    OP    PENGUINS    AND    SEALES.  3 

the  Cape,  and  going  along  the  shore,  we  espied  a  goodly 
Laie,  with  an  iland  lying  to  seawards  of  it,  into  which  we 
did  bcare,  and  found  it  very  commodious  for  our  ships  to 
ride  in.  This  baie  is  called  Agoada  de  Saldanha,^  Iji^g  1^ 
leagues  northward  on  the  hither  side  of  the  Cape.  The  first 
of  August  being  Sunday,  we  came  to  an  anker  in  the  baie, 
sending  our  me  on  land,  and  there  came  vnto  them  certaine 
blacke  salvages,  very  brutish,  which  would  not  stay,  but 
retired  from  them.  For  the  space  of  15  or  20  dayes  we 
could  find  no  reliefe,  but  onely  foules,  which  wee  killed 
with  our  pieces,  which  were  cranes  and  geese  :  there  was 
no  fish  but  muskles  and  other  shelfish,  which  wee  gathered 
on  the  rocks.  After  15  or  20  dales  being  here,  our  admii-all 
went  with  his  pinnasse  unto  the  iland  which  lieth  off  this  baie, 
where  he  found  great  stoi'e  of  penguines  and  scales,  whereof 
he  brought  good  plenty  with  him.  And  twise  after  that  we 
sent  certain  of  our  men,  which  at  both  times  brought  their 
bots  lading  vnto  our  ships.  After  we  had  bene  here  some 
time,  we  got  here  a  negro,  whom  we  compelled  to  march 
into  the  country  with  us,  making  signs  to  bring  us  some 
cattell ;  but  at  this  time  we  conld  come  to  the  sight  of  none, 
so  we  let  the  negro  go  with  some  trifles.  Within  8  dayes 
after,  he,  with  30  or  40  other  negros,  brought  us  downe 
some  40  bullocks  and  oxen,  with  as  many  sheepe  :  at  which 
time  we  bought  but  few  of  the.  But  within  8  days  after 
they  came  downe  with  as  many  more,  and  then  we  bought 
some  24  oxen,  with  as  many  sheepe.  We  bought  an  ox  for 
two  kniues,  a  stirke  for  a  knife,  and  a  sheepe  for  a  knife, 
and  some  we  bought  for  less  value  than  a  knife.  The  oxen 
be  very  large  and  well  fleshed,  but  not  fat.  The  sheepe  are 
very  big,  and  very  good  meat;  they  have  no  well  on  their 
backs,  but  haire,  and  have  great  tailes,  like  the  sheepe  in 
Syria.    There  be  divers  sorts  of  wild  beasts,  as  the  antelope 

1  In  1502  Antonio  de  Saldaulia,  on  hrs  way  out  to  India,  gave  his 
name  to  this  Agoada  de  Saldanha,  near  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

b2 


4  CAPE    DE    BUONA    SPERANZA    DOUBLED. 

(whereof  M.  Lancaster  killed  one  of  tlie  bignes  of  a  youg 
colt),  the  red  and  fallow  deere,  with  other  great  beasts 
unknowen  unto  us.  Here  ai-e  also  great  store  of  ouer- 
growen  monkeis.  As  touching  our  proceeding  upon  our 
voyage,  it  was  thought  good  rather  to  proceed  with  two 
ships  wel  manned,  then  with  three  euill  manned  :  for  here 
we  had  of  sound  and  whole  men  but  198,  of  which  there 
went  in  the  Penelope  with  the  admiral  101,  and  in  the 
Edward,  with  the  worshipfull  M.  Captaine  Lancaster,  97. 
We  left  behind  50  men  with  the  Roiall  Marchant,  whereof 
there  were  many  pretty  well  recovered,  of  which  ship  was 
master  and  gouernoui-,  Abraham  Kendal,^  which  for  many 
reasons  we  thought  good  to  send  home.  The  disease  that 
hath  consumed  our  men  hath  bene  the  skurvie.  Our  souldiers 
which  have  not  bene  used  to  the  sea,  have  best  held  out, 
but  our  mariners  dropt  away,  which  (in  my  judgment)  pro- 
ceedeth  of  their  euill  diet  at  home. 

Sixe  dayes  after  our  sending  back  for  England  of  the 
Marchant  Roiall  from  Agoada  de  Saldanha,  our  Admirall, 
M.  Captaine  Raimond,  in  the  Penelope,  and  M.  James 
Lancaster,  in  the  Edward  Bonauenture,  set  forward  to 
double  the  Cape  of  Buona  Esperansa,^  which  they  did  very 
speedily.  But  being  passed  as  far  as  Cape  Dos  Corrieutes,^ 
the  14  of  Septeber  we  were  encountered  with  a  mighty  storme 
and  extreme  gusts  of  wind,  wherein  we  lost  our  general's 
companie,  and  could  neuer  heare  of  him  nor  his  ship  any 
more,  though  we  did  our  best  endeuour  to  seeke  him  up 
and  downe  a  long  while,  and  staid  for  him  certaine  dayos  at 
the  iland  of  Comoro,  where  we  appointed  to  stay  one  for 

>  See  also  p.  17.  But,  in  May's  narrative,  the  name  is  given  as  Fox- 
croft. 

2  Here  is  some  confusion,  as  they  must  have  doubled  the  Cape  before 
reaching  the  Agoada  de  Saldanha. 

2  Cape  Corrientes  is  between  Delagoa  Bay  and  Sofala,  in  24°  7'  .30" 
S.  Lat. 


QUITANGONE,    NEAR    MOZAMlilQUE.  5 

auotlier.  Foure  dayes  after  this  uncomfortable  separation, 
in  the  morning  toward  ten  of  the  clocke,  Ave  had  a  terrible 
clap  of  thunder,  which  slew  fuure  of  our  men  outright,  their 
necks  being  wrung  in  sonder  without  speaking  any  word, 
and  of  94  men  there  was  not  one  untouched,  whereof  some 
were  strick"en  blind,  others  were  bruised  in  their  legs  and 
arms,  and  others  in  their  brests,  so  that  they  voided  blood 
two  dayes  after,  others  were  drawen  out  at  length,  as  though 
they  had  been  racked.  But  (God  be  thanked)  they  all 
recouered,  sauing  onely  the  foure  which  were  slaine  out- 
right. Also  with  the  same  thunder  our  maine  maste  was 
torne  very  grieuously  from  the  head  to  the  decke,  and  some 
of  the  spikes,  that  were  ten  inches  into  the  timber,  were 
melted  with  the  extreme  heate  thereof  From  thence  wee 
shaped  our  course  to  the  north-east,  and  not  long  after  we 
fell  upon  the  north-west  end  of  the  mighty  island  of  S. 
Laurence;^  which  one  of  our  men  espied  by  God's  good  bles- 
sing late  in  the  euening  by  moone  light,  who  seeing  afarre 
off  the  breaking  of  the  sea,  and  calling  to  certaine  of  his 
fellowes,  asked  them  what  it  was  :  which  eft  scones  told 
him  that  it  was  the  breaking  of  the  sea  upon  the  shoulds. 
AVhereupon  in  very  good  time  we  cast  about  to  auoyd  the 
danger  which  we  were  like  to  have  incurred.  Thus  passing 
on  forw^ard,  it  was  our  lucke  to  ouer-shoot  Mozambique, 
and  to  fall  in  with  a  place  called  Quitangone,-  two  leagues  to 
the  northward  of  it,  and  we  tooke  three  or  four  barkes  of 
Moores,  which  barkes  in  their  language  they  call  23<'<-n<jaias, 
laden  with  millio,  hennes,  and  ducks,  with  one  Portugall 
boy,  going  for  the  prouision  of  Mozambique. 


'  ISIadagascar  was  first  made  known  to  Europe  by  Marco  Polo.  It  was 
seen  by  Lourenzo  Almeida,  the  son  of  the  first  Portuguese  Viceroy  in 
India,  in  1506 ;  and  called  San  Lorenzo,  by  which  name  it  appears  on 
the  earlier  Portuguese  charts. 

2  Qiiitangoiiha  Island  forms  the  northern  boundary  of  Conducia  Bay, 
and  is  about  ten  miles  north  of  Mozambique. 


6  MEN    BETRAYED    AT    THE    ILE    OF    COMORO. 

Within  few  dayes  following  we  came  to  an  iland  an 
hundred  leagues  to  the  north-east  of  Mozambique,  called 
Comoro,  which  we  found  exceeding  full  of  people,  which  are 
Moores  of  tawnie  colour  and  good  stature,  but  they  be  very 
trecherous  and  diligently  to  be  taken  heed  of.  Here  wee 
desix-ed  to  store  our  selues  with  watei',  whereof  we  stood  in 
great  need,  and  sent  sixteene  of  our  men  well  armed  on  shore 
in  our  boate ;  whom  the  people  suffered  quietly  to  land  and 
water,  and  diuers  of  them  with  their  king  came  aboord 
our  ship  in  a  gowne  of  crimosine  satin,  pinked  after  the 
Moorish  fashion  down  to  the  knee,  whom  we  entertained  in 
the  best  mauer,  aud  had  some  conference  with  him  of  the 
state  of  the  place  and  marchandises,  using  our  Portugall 
boy  which  we  had  taken  before  for  our  interpreter,  and  in 
the  end  licensed  the  king  and  his  company  to  depart,  and 
sent  our  men  againe  for  more  water,  who  then  also  dis- 
patched their  businesse  and  returned  quietly;  the  third  time 
likewise  we  sent  them  for  more,  which  also  returned  with- 
out any  harme.  And  though  we  thought  our  selues  fur- 
nished, yet  our  master,  William  Mace  of  Radcliife,  pretend- 
ing that  it  might  be  long  before  we  should  finde  any  good 
watering  place,  would  needes  goe  himselfe  on  shore  with 
thirtie  men,  much  against  the  will  of  our  captaine,  and  hee 
and  16  of  his  company,  together  with  one  boat  which  was 
all  that  we  had,  aud  16  others  that  were  a  washing  ouer- 
against  our  ship,  were  betrayed  of  the  perfidious  Moores, 
and  in  our  sight  for  the  most  part  slaine,  we  not  being  able 
for  want  of  a  boat  to  yeeld  them  any  succour.  From  hence 
with  heauie  hearts  we  shaped  our  course  for  Zanzibar,  the  7 
of  November,  where  shortly  after  wee  arriued,  and  made  us 
a  new  boat  of  such  boards  as  we  had  within  boord,  and  rid 
in  the  road  untill  the  15  of  February,' where,  during  our 
aboad,  wc  sawe  diuers  pangaias  or  boats,  which  are  pinned 
with  woodden  pinnes,  and  sowed  together  with  palmito 
cordes,  and  calked  with   the  huskes  of  cocos  shels  beaten. 


AT    ZANZIBAR.  7 

whereof  they  make  occam.  At  length  a  Portugal  pangaia 
comming  out  of  the  harborow  of  Zanzibar,  where  they  haue 
a  small  Factorie,  sent  a  canoa  with  a  Moore  which  had 
bene  christened,  who  brought  us  a  letter  wherein  they  de- 
sired to  know  what  wee  were,  and  what  we  sought.  We 
sent  them  word  we  were  Englishmen  come  from  Don 
Antonio^  upon  businesse  to  his  friends  in  the  Indies  ;  with 
which  answere  they  returned,  and  would  not  any  more  come 
at  us.  Whereupon  not  long  after  we  manned  out  our  boat 
and  tooke  a  pangaia  of  the  Moores,  which  had  a  priest  of 
theirs  in  it,  which  in  their  language  they  called  a  sherife  j^ 
whom  we  used  ver}'  curteously ;  which  the  king  tooke  in 
very  good  part,  hauing  his  priests  in  great  estimation,  and 
for  his  deliuerance  furnished  us  with  two  moueths  victuals, 
during  all  which  time  we  detained  him  with  us.  These 
Moores  informed  us  of  the  false  and  spitefull  dealing  of  the 
Portugals  towards  us,  which  made  them  beleeve  that  we 
were  cruell  people  and  men-eaters,  and  willed  them  if  they 
loued  their  safetie  in  uo  case  to  come  neere  us.  Which  they 
did  onely  to  cut  us  off  from  all  knowledge  of  the  state  and 
traffique  of  the  countrey.  While  we  road  from  the  end  of 
November  until  the  middle  of  February  in  this  harborough, 
which  is  sufficient  for  a  ship  of  500  tuns  to  ride  in,  we  set 
upon  a  Portugal  yangala  with  our  boat,  but  because  it  was 
very  little,  and  our  men  not  able  to  stirre  in  it,  we  were  not 
able  to  take  the  sayd  pangaia,  which  was  armed  with  10  good 
shot  like  our  long  fouling  pieces.     This  place  for  the  good- 

•  When  Philip  II  seized  upou  Portugal  iu  1580,  as  the  heii-  of  King 
Henry  the  Cardinal,  there  were  several  other  claimants.  Philip  claimed 
through  his  mother  Isabella,  sister  of  John  III  and  of  Henry.  The 
English  espoused  the  cause  of  Antonio,  Prior  of  Crato,  who  was  the 
illegitimate  son  of  Luis,  a  younger  brother  of  John  III  and  Henry.  The 
Braganzas  descend  from  another  brother  of  John  III,  named  Duarte, 
and  had  a  prior  right  as  coming  from  the  dauglitor  of  a  brother,  while 
Philip  II  claimed  through  a  sister. 

^  Sherif,  a  descendant  of  the  I'lophct. 


8  ZANZIBAR  AN  EXCELLENT  PLACE  FOR  REFRESHING. 

nesse  of  the  harborougli  and  watering,  and  plentifull  refresh- 
ing with  fish,  whereof  we  tooke  great  store  with  our  nets,  and 
for  sundry  sorts  of  fruits  of  the  couutrey,  as  coCos  and  others 
which  were  brought  us  by  the  Moores,  as  also  for  oxen  and 
hennes,  is  carefully  to  be  sought  for  by  such  of  our  ships  as 
shall  hereafter  passe  that  way.     But  our  men  had  need  to 
take  good  heed  of  the  Portugals ;  for  while  we  lay  here  the 
Portugal  admiral  of  the  coast  from  Melinda  to  Mozambique, 
came  to  view  and  to  betray  our  boat  if  he  could  haue  taken 
at  any  time  advantage,  in  a  gallie  frigate  of  ten  tunnes,  with 
8  or  9  oares  on   a  side.     Of  the  strength  of  which  frigate 
and  their  trecherous  meaning  we  were  advertised  by  an 
Arabian  Moore,  which  came  from  the  king  of  Zanzibar  diners 
times  about  the  deliuerie  of  the  priest  aforesayd,  and  after- 
ward by  another  which  we  caried   thence  along  with  vs: 
for  wheresoeuer  we  came,  our  care  was  to  get  into  our  hands 
some  one  or  two  of  the  countreys  to  learne  the  languages 
and  states  of  those  partes  where  we  touched.     Moreover, 
here  againe  we  had  another  clap  of  thunder  which  did  shake 
our  foremast  very  much,  which  wee  fisht  and  repaired  with 
timber  from  the  shore,  whereof  there  is  good  store  there- 
about of  a  kind  of  trees  some  fortie  foote  high,  which  is  red 
and  tough  wood,  and  as,  I  suppose,  a  kind  of  cedar.     Here 
our  surgeon,  Arnold,  negligently  catching  a  great  heate  in 
his  head,  being  on  land  with  the  master  to  seeke  oxen,  fell 
sicke  and  shortly  died,  which  might  haue  bene  cured  by 
letting  of  blood  before  it  had  bin  setled.     Before  our  depar- 
ture we  had  in  this  place  some  thousand  weight  of  pitch,  or 
rather  a  kind  of  gray  and  white  gumme  like  vnto  frankin- 
cense,^ as  clammie  as  turpentine,  which  in  melting  groweth 
as  black  as   pitch,  and  is  very  brittle  of  it  selfe,  but  we 
mingled  it  with  oilc,  whei'eof  wee  had  300  iarres  in  the  prize 
which  we  tooke  to  the  northward  of  the  equinoctiall,  not 
farre  from  Guinie,  bound  for  Brasil.^    Sixe  dayes  before  wee 
'  Apparently  gum  cojial.  ^  See  page  1. 


ZOCOTORA.  9 

departed  liencc,  the  Cape  marcliaut  of  the  factorie  wrote  a 
letter  vnto  our  capitaine  in  the  way  of  friendship,  as  he  pre- 
tended^ requesting  a  iarre  of  wine  and  a  iarre  of  oyle^  and 
two  or  three  pounds  of  gunpowder,  which  letter  hee  sent  by 
a  Negro,  his  man,  and  a  Moore  in  a  canoa;  we  sent  him  his 
demands  by  the  Moore,  but  tooke  the  Negro  along  with  vs, 
because  we  vnderstood  he  had  bene  in  the  East  Indies  and 
knew  somewhat  of  the  counti-ey.  By  this  Negro  we  were 
advertised  of  a  small  barke  of  some  thirtie  tunnes  (which 
the  Moores  called  a  juuco),  which  was  come  from  Goa  thither, 
laden  with  pepper  for  the  Factorie  and  seruice  of  that  king- 
dome.  Thus  hauing  trimmed  our  shippe  as  we  lay  in  this 
road,  in  the  end  we  set  forward  for  the  coast  of  the  East 
India,  the  ]  5  of  Febi'uary  aforesayd,  intending  if  we  could 
to  haue  reached  to  Cape  Comori,  which  is  the  headland  or 
promontorie  of  the  maine  of  Malauar,  and  there  to  haue  lieu 
off  and  on  for  such  ships  as  should  haue  passed  from  Zeilan, 
Sant  Tome,  Bengala,  Pegu,  Malacca,  the  INIoluccos,  the 
coast  of  China,  and  the  ile  of  Japan,  which  ships  are  of  ex- 
ceeding wealth  and  riches.  But  in  our  course  we  were  very 
much  deceiued  by  the  currents  that  set  into  the  gulfe  of 
the  Red  Sea  along  the  coast  of  Melinde.  And  the  windes 
shortening  upon  us  to  the  north-east  and  easterly,  kept  us 
that  we  could  not  get  oflF,  and  so  with  the  putting  in  of  the 
currents  from  the  westward  within  fourescore  leagues  of  the 
Ile  of  Zocotora,  farre  from  our  determined  course  and  ex- 
pectation. But  here  we  never  wanted  abundance  of  dolphins, 
bonitos,  and  flying  fishes.  Now  while  we  found  our  selues 
thus  farre  to  the  northward,  and  the  time  being  so  farre 
spent,  we  determined  to  goe  for  the  Bed  Sea,  or  for  the 
iland  of  Zocotora,  both  to  refresh  our  selues,  and  also  for 
some  purchase.  But  while  wee  were  in  this  consultation  the 
winde  very  luckily  came  about  to  the  north-west  and  caried 
us  directly  toward  Cape  Comori.  Before  we  should  haue 
doubled  this  cape,  we  were  determined  to  touch  at  the  Hands 


10  ILANDS  OF  PULO  PINAON. 

of  Mamale/  of  which  we  had  aduertisement,  that  one  had 
victuals,  standing  in  the  northerly  latitude  of  twelue  degrees. 
Howbeit  it  was  not  our  good  lucke  to  finde  it,  which  fell  out 
partly  by  the  obstiuacie  of  our  master ;  for  the  day  before 
we  fell  in  with  part  of  the  ilands  the  wind  came  about  to  the 
south-west,  and  then  shifting  our  course  we  missed  it.  So 
the  wind  increasing  southerly,  we  feared  we  should  not 
haue  bene  able  to  haue  doubled  the  cape,  which  would  haue 
greatly  hazarded  our  casting  away  upon  the  coast  of  India, 
the  winter  season  and  westerne  monsons  already  being  come 
in,  which  monsons  continue  on  that  coast  until  August. 
Neuertheless  it  pleased  God  to  bring  the  wind  more  wes- 
terly, and  so  in  the  moneth  of  May  1592,  we  happily  doubled 
Cape  Comori  without  sight  of  the  coast  of  India. ^  From 
hence,  thus  hauing  doubled  this  cape,  we  directed  our  course 
for  the  Islands  of  Nicubar,  which  lie  north  and  south  with 
the  westerne  part  of  Sumatra,  and  in  the  latitude  of  7  de- 
grees to  the  northward  of  the  equinoctiall.  From  which 
Cape  of  Comori  unto  the  aforesayd  ilands  we  ranne  in  sixe 
days  with  a  very  large  wind  though  the  weather  were  foule 
with  extreme  raine  and  gustes  of  wiudes.  These  ilands 
were  missed  through  our  masters  default  for  want  of  due 
observation  of  the  south  starre.  And  we  fell  to  the  south- 
ward of  them  within  the  sight  of  the  Ilands  of  Gomes  Pulo, 
which  lie  hard  upon  the  great  Hand  of  Sumatra,  the  first  of 
June,  and  at  the  north-east  side  of  them  we  lay  two  or  three 
dayes  becalmed,  hoping  to  haue  had  a  pilote  from  Sumatra, 
within  two  leagues  whereof  wee  lay  off  and  on.  Now  the 
winter  comming  upon  us  with  much  bad  weather,  we 
directed  our  course  from  hence  to  the  Ilands  of  Pulo 
Pinaon^  (where  by  the  way  is  to  be  noted  that  Pulo  in  the 
Malaian   tongue  signifieth  ail  iland),  at   which  ilands  wee 

'  Manole,  one  of  the  Laccadives  on  the  map  of  Ortelius  of  1570. 
■^  They  of  course  passed  round  the  Island  of  Ceylon. 
'  Penanii;. 


TREES    FIT    FOR    MASTKS.  11 

arriued  about  tlie  beginnino-  of  June,  where  we  catne  to  an 
anker  in  a  very  good  harborough  betweene  three  Hands ;  at 
which  time  our  men  were  very  sicke  and  many  fallen.  Here 
we  determined  to  stay  until!  the  winter  were  ouerpast.  This 
place  is  in  6  degrees  and  a  halfe  to  the  northward,  and  some 
fiue  leagues  from  the  maiue  betweene  Malacca  and  Pegu. 
Here  we  continued  vntill  the  end  of  August.  Our  refreshing 
in  the  place  was  very  smal,  onely  of  oisters  growing  on  rocks, 
great  wilks,  and  some  few  fish  which  we  tooke  with  our 
hookes.  Here  we  landed  our  sicke  men  on  these  vninhabited 
ilands  for  their  health,  nevei'thelesse  26  of  them  died  in  this 
place,  whereof  John  Hall,  our  master,  was  one,  and  M. 
Eainold  Golding  another,  a  marchant  of  great  honestie  and 
much  discretion.  In  these  ilands  are  abundance  of  trees  of 
white  wood,  so  right  and  tall,  that  a  man  may  make  mastes  of 
them,  being  an  hundred  foote  long.  The  winter  passed  and 
hauing  watered  our  ship  and  fitted  her  to  goe  to  sea,  wee 
had  left  vs  but  33  men  and  one  boy,  of  which  not  past  22 
were  found  for  labour  and  helpe,  and  of  them  not  past  a 
third  part  sailers  :  thence  we  made  saile  to  seek  some  place  of 
refreshing,  and  went  ouer  to  the  maine  of  Malacca.  The 
next  day  we  came  to  an  anker  in  a  baie,  in  six  fadomes 
water  some  two  leagues  from  the  shore.  The  master  James 
Lancaster,  our  captaine,  and  M.  Edmund  Barker  his  lieu- 
tenant, and  other  of  the  companie  manning  the  boat,  went 
on  shore  to  see  what  inhabitants  might  be  found.  And 
com  mine:  on  land  we  found  the  ti'ackins:  of  some  barefooted 
people  which  were  departed  thence  not  long  before ;  for  we 
sawe  their  fire  still  burning,  but  people  we  sawe  none,  nor  any 
other  lining  creature,  saue  a  certaine  kind  of  foule  called  oxe 
birds,  which  are  a  gray  kind  of  sea-foule,  like  a  suite  in 
colour,  but  not  in  beake.  Of  these  we  killed  some  eight 
dozen  with  haile-shot,  being  very  tame,  and  spending  the 
day  in  search  returned  toward  night  aboord.  The  next  day 
about  two  of  the  clockc  in  the.afternoone,  we  espied  a  canoa 


12  SHIPS    OF    PEGU    LADEN    WITH    PEPPER. 

whicli  came  neere  unto  vs,  but  would  not  come  aboord  us, 
hauinsr  in  it  some  sixteen  naked  Indians,  with  whom 
neuertheles,  going  afterward  on  land,  we  had  friendly  con- 
ference, and  promise  of  victuals.  The  next  day,  in  the 
morning,  we  espied  three  ships,  being  all  of  burthen  60  or 
70  tUnnes,  one  of  which  we  made  to  strike  with  our  very 
boate  ;  and  understanding  that  they  were  of  the  towne  of 
Martabam,  which  is  the  chiefe  hauen  towne  for  the  great 
citie  of  Pegu,  and  the  goods  belonging  to  certaine  Portugal 
Jesuites,  and  a  biscuit  baker  a  Portugal,  we  tooke  that  ship 
and  did  not  force  the  other  two,  because  they  were  laden 
for  marchants  of  Pegu,  but  hauing  this  one  at  our  command, 
we  came  together  to  an  anker.  The  night  folowing  all  of 
the  men,  except  twelue,  which  we  tooke  in  our  ship,  being 
most  of  them  borne  in  Pegu,  fled  away  in  their  boate,  lean- 
ing their  ship  and  goods  with  us.  The  next  day  we  weighed 
our  anker  and  went  to  the  leeward  of  an  iland  hard  by,  and 
tooke  in  her  lading  being  pepper,  which  shee  and  the  other 
two  had  laden,  at  Pera,^  which  is  a  place  on  the  maine  30 
leagues  to  the  south.  Beside  the  aforesaid  three  ships,  we 
tooke  another  ship  of  Pegu  laden  with  pepper,  and  perceiu- 
ing  her  to  be  laden  with  marchants'  goods  of  Pegu  onely,  we 
dismissed  her  without  touching  any  thing. 

Thus  hauing  staled  here  10  dales  and  discharged  her 
goods  into  the  Edward,  which  was  about  the  beginning  of 
September,  our  sicke  men  being  somewhat  refreshed  and 
lustie,  with  such  relief  as  we  had  found  in  this  ship,  we 
weighed  anker,  determining  to  runne  into  the  streights 
of  Malacca,  to  the  ilands  called  Pulo  Sambilam,"  which  are 
some  -fine    and    fortie   leagues   northward    of  the    citie    of 

>  Perak,  the  second  Malay  State  on  the  western  side  of  the  penin- 
sula of  Malacca,  counting  from  the  north :  bounded  on  the  north  by 
Quedah,  and  on  the  south  by  Salangore.     The  word  jxrak  means  silver. 

-  Pulo  Sanibelong  is  the  Malay  name  for  the  Nicobare.  It  means 
"  nine  islands".     Little  Micobar  Island  is  so  called. 


PORTUGALL    PRIZES.  13 

Malacca,  to  which  ilands  the  Portugals  must  needs  come 
from  Goa  or  S.  Thome,  for  the  Malucos,  China,  and  Japan. 
And  when  wee  were  there  arriued,  we  lay  too  and  agayne  for 
such  shipping  as  should  come  that  way.  Thus  hauing  spent 
some  fine  dayes,  upon  Sunday  we  espied  a  saile  which  was 
a  Portugall  ship  that  came  from  Negapatan,  a  towne  on  the 
maine  of  India,  ouer-against  the  north-east  part  of  the  He  of 
Zeilan ;  and  that  night  we  tooke  her,  being  of  250  tunnes  ; 
she  was  laden  with  rice  for  Malacca.  Captaine  Lancaster 
commanded  their  captaine  and  master  aboord  our  shippe, 
and  sent  Edmund  Barker,  his  lieutenant,  and  seuen  more  to 
keep  this  prize,  who,  being  aboord  the  same,  came  to  an 
anker  in  thirtie  fadomes  water  ;  for  in  the  chanell  three  or 
foure  leagues  from  the  shore  you  shall  6nde  good  ankorage. 
Being  thus  at  an  anker  and  keeping  out  a  light  for  the 
Edward,  another  Portugall  ship  of  Sant  Thome  of  foure 
hundred  tunnes,  came  and  ankered  hard  by  us.  The  Edward 
being  put  to  seeward  for  lacke  of  helpe  of  men  to  handle  her 
sailes,  was  not  able  the  next  morning  to  fetch  her  vp,  vntil 
we,  which  were  in  the  prize,  with  our  boate  went  to  helpe  to 
man  our  shippe.  Then  comming  aboord  we  went  toward 
the  shippe  of  Sant  Thome,  but  our  shippe  was  so  foule  that 
shee  escaped  us.  After  we  had  taken  out  of  our  Portugall 
prize  what  we  thought  good,  we  turned  her  and  all  her  men 
away  except  a  pilot  and  foure  Moores.  We  continued  here 
vntill  the  sixt  of  October,  at  which  time  we  met  with  the 
ship  of  the  captaine  of  Malacca,  of  seuen  hundred  tunnes, 
which  came  from  Goa  ;  we  shot  at  her  many  shot,  and  at 
last  shooting  her  maine-yard  through,  she  came  to  an  anker 
and  yielded.  We  commanded  her  captain,  master,  pilot, 
and  purses,  to  come  on  boord  vs.  But  the  captain  accom- 
panied with  one  soldier  onely  came,  and  after  certaine  con- 
ference with  him,  he  made  excuse  to  fetch  the  master  and 
purser,  which  he  sayd  would  not  come  vnless  he  went  for 
them  ;  but  being  gotten  from  vs  in  the  edge  of  the  euening, 


14  WARES    FIT    TO    CARRY    INTO    THE    INDIES. 

he  with  all  the  people,  which  were  to  the  number  of  about 
three  hundred  men.  women,  and  children,  gote  ashore  with 
two  great  boates,  and  quite  abandoned  the  ship.  At  our 
comming  aboord  we  found  in  her  sixteene  pieces  of  brasse, 
and  three  hundred  buts  of  Canarie  wine  and  Nipar  wine, 
which  is  made  of  the  palme  trees,  and  rasin  wine,  which  is 
also  very  strong ;  as  also  all  kind  of  haberdasher  wares,  as 
hats,  red  caps  knit  of  Spanish  wooll,  worsted  stockings  knit, 
shooes,  veluets,  taflPataes,  chamlers,  and  silkes,  abundance 
of  suckets,  rice,  Venice  glasses,  certaine  papers  full  of  false 
and  counterfeit  stones,  which  an  Italian  brought  from  Venice 
to  deceiue  the  rude  Indians  with  all,  abundance  of  playing 
cardes,  two  or  three  packs  of  French  paper.  Whatsoever 
became  of  the  treasure  which  usually  is  brought  in  roials  of 
plate  in  this  gallion,  we  could  not  find  it.  After  that  the 
mariners  had  disordredly  pilled  this  rich  shippe,  the  captaiue, 
because  they  would  not  follow  his  commandement  to  vnlade 
those  excellent  wines  into  the  Edward,  abandoned  her  and 
let  her  driue  at  sea,  taking  out  of  her  the  choisest  things 
that  she  had.  And  doubting  the  forces  of  Malacca,  we  de- 
parted thence  to  a  baie,  in  the  kingdome  of  Junsalaom,^ 
which  is  betweene  Malacca  and  Pegu,  eight  degrees  to  the 
northward,  to  seeke  for  pitch  to  trimme  our  ship.  Here  we 
sent"  our  souldier,  which  the  captaine  of  the  aforesaid  galiou 
had  left  behind  him  with  us,  because  he  had  the  Malaian 
language,  to  deale  with  the  people  for  pitch,  which  hee  did 
faithfully,  and  procured  vs  some  two  or  three  quintals  with 
promise  of  more,  and  certaine  of  the  people  came  unto  vs. 
We  sent  commodities  to  their  king  to  barter  for  amber- 
griese,  and  for  the  homes  of  abath,  whereof  the  king  onely 
hath  the  traffique  in  his  hands.     Now  this  abath  is  a  beast 

>  Junk  Seylon  or  Salanga,  an  island  twenty  miles  long,  off  the  N.W. 
extremity  of  the  Malay  peninsula.  It  contains  extensive  tin  mines,  and 
exports  also  edible  birds'  nests,  ivory,  and  Japan  wood.  It  now  belongs 
to  Siam.  Ilakluyt,  in  his  "Epistle  Dedicatorie",  calls  it  "the  main  land 
of  Jun^alaou". 


ILANDS    OF    NICUBAR.  15 

whicli  liatli  one  liorno  onely  iu  her  forelioad,  and  is  thonglit 
to  be  the  female  unicorne,  and  is  highly  esteemed  of  all  the 
Moores  in  those  parts  as  a  most  soueraigne  remedie  against 
poyson.  We  had  onely  two  or  three  of  these  hornes^  which 
are  the  colonr  of  a  browue  grey,  and  some  reasonable 
quantitie  of  amber-griese.  At  last  the  king  went  about  to 
betray  our  Portugall  with  our  marchandise ;  but  he  to  get 
aboord  vs,  told  him  that  we  had  gilt  armour,  shirtes  of  mailo 
and  halberds,  which  things  they  greatly  desire ;  for  hope 
whereof  he  let  him  returne  aboord,  and  so  he  escaped  the 
danger.  Thus  we  left  this  coast  and  went  backe  againe  in 
sight  of  Sumatra,  and  thence  to  the  Hands  of  Nicubar, 
where  we  arriued  and  found  them  inhabited  with  Moores, 
and  after  wee  came  to  an  anker  the  people  came  aboord  vs 
in  their  canoas,  Avith  hennes,  cocos,  plantans,  and  other 
fruits  ;  and  in  two  dayes  they  brought  vnto  vs  roials  of 
plate,  giuing  vs  them  for  calicut  cloth ;  which  roials  they 
finde  by  diuing  for  them  in  the  sea,  which  were  lost  not  long 
before  in  two  Portugall  ships  which  were  bound  for  China, 
and  were  cast  away  there.  They  call  in  their  language  the 
coco,  calamhe;^  the  plantane,  pis(m;^  a  hen,  iam ;  a  fish, 
iccan;  a  hog,  hahee.^  From  thence  we  returned  the  21  of 
Nouember  to  goe  for  the  Hand  of  Zeilan,  and  arriued  there 
about  the  third  of  December,  1592,  and  ankered  vpon  the 
south  side  in  sixe  fadomes  water,  where  we  lost  our  anker, 
the  place  being  rockie  and  foule  ground.  Then  we  ranne 
along  the  south-west  part  of  the  sayd  ilaud,  to  a  place  called 
Punta  del  Galle,  where  we  ankered,  determining  there  to 
have  remained  vntill  the  comming  of  the  Bengala  fleet  of 
seuen  or  eight  ships,  and  the  fleete  of  Pegu  of  two  or 
three  sailes,  and  the  Portugall  shippes  of  Tanaseri,  being  a 

'  The  Malay  name  is  h>ir,  in  Javanese  hdlapa. 
2  Pisang,  a  banana  in  Malay. 

'  BaJii  is  the  moiit  general  name  for  a  hog  throughout  the  Malayan 
islands. 


IG  PUNTA    DEL    GALLE. 

great  bale  to  the  southward  of  Martabam  in  the  kingdom  of 
Siam  ;  which  ships^  by  diuers  intelHgence  which  we  had, 
were  to  come  that  way  within  fourteene  dayes  to  bring  com- 
modities to  serue  the  Caraks,  which  commonly  depart  from 
Cochin  for  Portugall  by  the  middest  of  Januarie.  The 
commodities  of  the  shippes  which  come  from  Bengala  bee 
fine  pauilHons  for  beds,  wrought  guilts,  fine  calicut  cloth, 
pintados,  and  other  fine  workes  and  rice,  and  they  make 
this  voiage  twice  in  the  yeere.  Those  of  Pegu  being  the 
chiefest  stones,  as  rubies  and  diamants,  but  their  chief 
fraiffht  is  rice  and  certaine  cloth.  Those  of  Tanaseri  are 
chiefly  fraighted  with  rice  and  Nipar  wine,  which  is  very 
strong,  and  in  colour  like  vnto  rocke  water  somewhat 
whitish,  and  very  hote  in  taste  like  vnto  aqua  vitfe.  Being 
shotvp  to  the  place  aforesayd,  called  Punta  del  Galle,  wee 
came  to  an  anker  in  foule  ground  and  lost  the  same,  and 
lay  all  that  night  a  drift,  because  we  had  nowe  but  two 
ankers  left  vs,  which  were  unstocked  and  in  hold.  Where- 
upon our.  men  tooke  occasion  to  come  home,  our  captaine  at 
that  time  lying  very  sicke,  more  like  to  die  than  to  live. 
In  the  morning  we  set  our  foresaile,  determining  to  lie  vp 
to  the  northward,  and  there  to  keepe  our  selues  to  and  againe 
out  of  the  current,  which  otherwise  would  haue  set  us  off  to 
the  southward  from  all  knowen  land.  Thus  hauing  set  our 
foresayle,  and  in  hand  to  set  all  our  other  saj^les  to  accom- 
plish our  aforesayd  determination,  our  men  made  answere 
that  they  would  take  their  direct  course  for  England,  and 
would  stay  there  no  longer.  Nowe  seeing  they  could  not 
bee  perswaded  by  any  meanes  possible,  the  captaine  was 
constrained  to  give  his  consent  to  returne,  leaning  all  hope 
of  so  great  possibilities.  Thus  the  eight  of  December,  1592, 
wee  set  sayle  for  the  Cape  of  Buona  Esperansa,  passing  by 
the  Hands  of  Maldiua,  and  leaning  the  mi'ghtie  Hand  of  S. 
Lawrence  on  the  starreboord,  or  northward  in  the  latitude  of 
26  degrees   to  the   south.     In  our  passage  ouer  from    S. 


THE    ISLAND    OF    SANTA    HELENA.  17 

Lawrence  to  the  maine  we  had  exceeding  great  store  of 
bonitos  and  albocores,  which  are  a  greater  kind  of  fish  ;  of 
which  our  captaiue,  being  now  recouered  of  his  sicknesse, 
tooke  with  an  hooke  as  many  in  two  or  three  howers  as 
would  serue  fortie  persons  a  whole  day.  And  this  skole  of 
fish  continued  with  our  ship  for  the  space  of  fiue  or  sixe 
weekes,  all  which  while  we  tooke  to  the  quantitie  aforesayd, 
which  was  no  small  refreshing  to  vs.  In  February,  1593, 
we  fell  with  the  eastermost  land  of  Africa  at  a  place  called 
Baia  de  Agoa/  some  100  leagues  to  the  north-east  of  the 
Cape  of  Good  Hope  ;  and  finding  the  winds  contrary,  we 
spent  a  moneth  or  fiue  weekes  before  we  could  double  the 
cape.  After  wee  had  doubled  it  in  March  folowing,  wee 
directed  our  course  for  the  Hand  of  Santa  Helena,  and 
arriued  there  the  third  day  of  Aprill,  where  wee  staidd  to 
our  great  comfort  nineteene  dayes ;  in  which  meane  space 
some  one  man  of  vs  tooke  thirtie  goodly  congers  in  one  day, 
and  other  rockie  fishe  and  some  bonitos.  After  our  arriuall 
at  Santa  Helena,  I,  Edmund  Barker,  went  on  shore  with 
foure  or  fiue  Peguins,  or  men  of  Pegu,  which  we  had  taken, 
and  our  surgeon,  where  in  an  house  by  the  chappell  I  found 
an  Englishman,  one  John  Legai-,  of  Burie,  in  Suffolke,  who 
was  left  there  eighteene  moneths  by  Abraham  Kendall,^  who 
put  in  there  with  the  Roiall  Marchant,  and  left  him  there 
to  refresh  him  on  the  iland,  being  otherwise  like  to  haue 
perished  on  shipboord  ;  and  at  our  comming  wee  found  him 
as  fresh  in  colour  and  in  as  good  plight  of  body  to  our  seem- 
ing as  might  be,  but  crazed  in  mind  and  halfe  out  of  his 
wits,  as  afterwai'd  wee  perceiued ;  for  whether  he  were  put 
in  fright  of  vs,  not  knowing  at  first  what  we  were,  whether 
friends  or  foes,  or  of  sudden  ioy  when  he  vnderstood  we 
were  his  olde  consorts  and  countreymen,  hee  became  idle- 

'  Delagoa  Bay. 

*  See  page  4,  and  note. 


18  THE    COMMODITIES    OF    SANTA    HELENA. 

headed,  and  for  eight  dayes  space,  neither  night  nor  day, 
tooke  any  natui'all  rest,  and  so  at  length  died  for  lacke  of 
sleepe.  Here  two  of  our  men,  whereof  the  one  was  diseased 
with  skuruie,  and  the  other  had  bene  nine  moneths  sicke  of 
the  fluxe,  in  short  time  while  they  were  on  the  iland  re- 
coured  their  perfect  health. 

We  found  in  this  place  great  store  of  very  holesome  and 
excellant  good  greene  figs,  orenges,  and  lemons  very  faire, 
abundance  of  goates  and  hogs,  and  great   plentie   of  part- 
riges,  gniniecocks,  and   other  wilde  foules.     Our  mariners, 
somewhat  discontented,  being-  now  watered  and  hauino-  some 
provision  of  fish,  contrary  to  the  will  of  the  capitaine,  would 
straight  home.     The  capitaine — because  he  was  desirous  to 
goe  for  Phernambuc,  in  Brazil — granted  their  request ;  and 
about  the  12  of  Aprill,  1593,  we  departed  from   S.  Helena, 
and  directed  our  course  for  the  place  aforesayd.     The  next 
day  our  captaine,  calling  vpon  the   sailers  to  finish  a  fore- 
saile  which  they  had  in  hand,  some  of  them  answered  that 
vnlesse  they  might  goe  directly  home  they  would   lay  their 
hands  to  nothing ;  whereupon  he  was  constrained  to  follow 
their  humour.     And    from  thencefoorth   we  directed    our 
course  for  our  countrey,  which  we  kept  vntill  we  came   8 
degrees   to  the   northward   of   the    equinoctiall,    betweene 
which  8  degrees  and  the  line  we   spent  some  sixe  weekes, 
with  many  calme   and   contrary  winds  at  north,  and  some- 
times to  the  eastward,  and   sometimes  to  the  westward  : 
which  losse  of  time  and  expense  of  our  victuals,  whei'eof  we 
had  very  small   store,  made  vs  doubt  to  keepe  our  course : 
and  some  of  our  men  growing  into  a  mutinie,  threatened  to 
breake  vp   other    men^s    chests,   to  the    ouerthrow   of  our 
victuals  and  all  our  selues,  for  eury  man  had  his  share  of  his 
victuals  befoi'e  in  his  owne  custody,  that  we  might  be  sure 
what  to  trust  to,  and  husband  it  more  thriftily.     Our  capi- 
taine seeking  to  preuent  this  mischiefe,  being  aduertised  by 
one  of  our  companie  which  had  bene  at  the  He  of  Trinidada 


THE    GULF    OF    PARIA.  19 

in  ^I.  Cliidle^'S  voyage/  tliat  there  we  should  be  sure  to  hanc 
refreshing,  hereupon  directed  his  course  to  that  ihmd,  and 
not  knowing  the  currents,  we  were  put  past  it  in  the  night 
into  the  Gulf  of  Paria,  in  the  beginning  of  June,  wherein 
we  were  8  dayes,  finding  the  current  continually  setting  in, 
and  oftentimes  we  were  in  3  fadonies  water,  and  could  find 
no  going  out  until  the  current  had  put  us  ouer  to  the 
western  side  vnder  the  inaine  land,  where  we  found  no  cur- 
rent at  all,  and  more  deep  water;    and   so   keeping  by  the 

1  Oue  would  like  to  know  more  of  this  romantic  voyage,  and  of  its 
gallant  projector.  John  Chudleigh,  commonly  called  Chidley,  as  Prince 
tells  us  and  as  the  name  is  spelt  by  Ilakluyt,  was  of  a  very  ancient 
family  in  Devonshire,  long  settled  at  Chudleigh  and  Broad  Clist.  This 
John  Chudleigh,  the  navigator,  was  the  eldest  sou  of  Christopher  Chud- 
leigh of  Churlleigh,  by  Christiana,  heiress  of  William  Stretchlegh. 
Prince  says  that  "he  was  of  a  right  martial,  bold,  and  adventurous 
spirit,  and  the  famous  actions  of  Drake  and  Cavendish  ran  so  much  in 
his  mind,  that  he  could  not  rest  without  undertaking  to  show  himself 
the  third  Englishman  that  had  circumnavigated  the  world,  and  per- 
formed some  noble  service  for  his  country.'"  He  was  also  the  friend  and 
neighbour  of  John  Davis,  the  great  Arctic  navigator,  who,  when  he 
discovered  the  opening  afterwards  known  as  Hudson's  Strait,  called 
the  northern  point  of  the  entrance  Warwick's  Foreland,  and  the 
southern  Cape  Chidley  or  Chudleigh,  in  1587.  N.  W.  Fox  afterwards 
truly  observed  that,  by  the  discovery  of  this  entrance,  "Davis  did  light 
Hudson  into  his  straights''. 

Mr.  John  Chudleigh  fitted  out  his  expedition  at  Plymouth,  and  sailed 
on  the  5th  of  August,  1589.  He  commanded  the  Wild  Man,  of  300 
tons,  in  which  was  Benjamin  Wood,  as  master ;  and  he  had  with  him 
the  White  Lion,  of  340  tons.  Captain  Wheele  ;  and  the  Delight,  under 
Captain  INIerick.  The  object  of  the  voyage  was  to  pass  through  Magel- 
lan's Strait,  vLsit  the  coast  of  Aranco,  and  then  circumnavigate  the 
world.  The  young  leader  of  the  exjDedition  died  in  the  Straits  of 
Magellan,  and  the  ships  returned.  There  is  an  account  of  the  disas- 
trous cruise  of  the  Delight,  written  by  oue  of  the  crew  named  William 
Magroth,  in  Hakluyt  (iv,  p.  357).  John  Chudleigh  had  married 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  George  Speke,  K.B.,  of  White  Lackington, 
in  Somersetshire,  and  left  two  sons,  George  and  John.  The  former  was 
created  a  baronet  in  1622,  and  died  in  1657.  The  baronetcy  became 
extinct  in  1745;  aud  Frances,  heiress  of  Sir  George  Chudleigh,  Bart., 
of  Ashton,  married  Sir  John  Chiche.ster,  Bart.,  of  Youlston. 

c  2 


20 


IN    THE    WEST    INDIES. 


shore,  the  wind  off  the  shore  euery  night  did  helpe  vs  out 
to  the  northwai'd.  Being  cleare,  within  foure  or  fine  dayes 
after  we  fell  with  the  He  of  Mona/  where  we  ankored  and 
rode  some  eighteene  dayes.  In  which  time  the  Indians  of 
Mona  gave  us  some  refreshing.  And  in  the  meane  space 
there  arriued  a  French  ship  of  Cane,  in  which  was  captaine 
one  Monsieur  de  Barbaterre,  of  whom  we  bought  some  two 
buts  of  wine  and  bread,  and  other  victuals.  Then  wee 
watered  and  fitted  our  shippe,  and  stopped  a  great  leake 
which  broke  on  vs  as  we  were  beating  out  of  the  Gulfe  of 
Paria.  And  hauing  thus  made  read}''  our  ship  to  goe  to  sea, 
we  determined  to  goe  directly  for  Newfoundland.  But 
before  wee  departed,  there  arose  a  storme,  the  winde  being 
northerly,  which  put  vs  from  an  anker  and  forced  us  to  the 
southward  of  Santo  Domingo.  This  night  we  were  in 
danger  of  shipwracke  upon  an  iland  called  Sauona,^  which 
is  enuironed  with  flats  lying  4  or  5  miles  off:  yet  it  pleased 
God  to  cleare  vs  of  them,  and  so  we  directed  our  course 
westward  along  the  Iland  of  Santo  Domingo,  and  doubled 
Cape  Tibvron,^  and  passed  through  the  old  chanell  betweene 
S.  Domingo  and  Cuba  for  the  Cape  of  Florida.  And  here 
we  met  againe  with  the  French  ship  of  Caen,  whose  cap- 
taine could  spare  vs  no  more  victuals,  as  he  saide,  but  only 
hides  which  he  had  taken  by  traffike  vpon  those  islands, 
wherewith  we  were  content,  and  gaue  him  for  them  to  his 
good  satisfaction.  After  this,  passing  the  Cape  of  Florida, 
and  cleere  of  the  chanell  of  Bahama,  we  directed  our  course 
for  the  banke  of  Newfoundland.  Thus  running  to  the 
height  of  36  degrees,  and  as  farre  to  the  east  as  the  Isle  of 
Bermuda,  the  17  of  September  finding  the  winds  there  very 
variable,  coutrarie  to  our  expectation  and  all  men's  writings, 
we  lay  there  a  day  or  two,  the  winde    being    northerly  and 

'  Mona  is  a  small  island  between  Puerto  Rico  and  San  Domingo. 
*  Saona,  an  islet  off  the  south-east  point  of  San  Domingo. 
^  The  western  point  of  San  Domingo, 


MEN    LEFT    ON    THE    II-ES    OF    NUF.BLAS.  21 

increasing  continually  more  and  more,  it  grewe  to  be  a 
storme  and  a  great  frete  of  wind,  which  continued  with  us 
some  24  houres,  with  such  extremitie,  as  it  caried  not  onely 
our  sayles  away,  being  furled,  but  also  made  much  water  in 
our  shippe,  so  that  wee  had  six  foote  water  in  holde,  and 
hauing  freed  our  ship  thereof  with  bailing,  the  winde  shifted 
to  the  northwest  and  became  dullerd  ;  but  presently  vpon  it 
the  extremitie  of  the  storme  was  such  that  with  the  labour- 
ing of  our  ship  we  lost  our  foremaste,  and  our  ship  grewe  as 
full  of  water  as  before.  The  storme  once  ceased,  and  the 
wind  contrary  to  goe  our  course,  we  fell  to  consultation 
which  might  be  our  best  way  to  saue  our  Hues.  Our  vic- 
tuals now  being  vtterly  spent,  and  having  eaten  hides  6  or 
7  dales,  we  thought  it  best  to  beare  backe  againe  for  Domi- 
nica and  the  islands  adioyning,  knowing  that  there  we 
might  haue  some  reliefe,  whereupon  we  turned  backe  for 
the  said  islands.  But  before  we  could  get  thither  the  winde 
scanted  vpon  vs,  which  did  greatly  endanger  vs  for  lacke  of 
fresh  water  and  victuals  :  so  that  we  were  constrained  to 
beare  up  to  the  westward,  to  certaine  other  ilandes  called 
the  Pueblas  or  Cloudie  Hands,  towards  the  He  of  S.  Juan 
de  porto  Rico,  where  at  our  arriuall  we  found  land-crabs  and 
fresh  water,  and  tortoyses,  which  come  most  on  lande  about 
the  full  of  the  moone.  Here  hauing  refreshed  our  selues 
some  17  or  18  dayes,  and  hauing  gotten  some  small  store 
of  victuals  into  our  ship,  we  resolued  to  returne  againe  for 
Moua,  upon  which  our  determination  fine  of  our  men  left 
vs,  remaining  still  on  the  lies  of  Nueblas,  for  all  perswasions 
that  we  could  vse  to  the  contrary,  which  afterward  came 
home  in  an  English  shippe.  From  these  iles  we  departed, 
and  arrived  at  Mona  about  the  twentieth  of  November, 
1593,  and  there  comming  to  an  anker  toward  two  or  three 
of  the  clocke  in  the  morning,  the  captaine,  and  Edmund 
Barker,  his  lieutenant,  with  some  few  others,  went  on  land 
to  the  houses  of  the  olde  Indian  and  his  three  sonnes,  think- 


0  9 


GREAT    FAMINE. 


ing  to  have  gotten  some  foode,  our  victuals  being  all  spent, 
and  we  not  able  to  proceede  any  fui^tlier  vntill  we  had  ob- 
teyned  some  new  supply.  We  spent  two  or  three  dales  in 
seeking  prouision  to  cary  aboord  to  relieue  the  whole  com- 
panie ;  and  coming  to  go  aboord,  the  winde  then  being 
northerly  and  the  sea  somewhat  growne,  they  could  not 
come  on  shore  with  the  boate,  which  was  a  thing  of  small 
succour  and  not  able  to  rowe  in  any  rough  sea,  whereupon 
we  stayed  untill  the  next  morning,  thinking  to  have  had 
lesse  winde  and  safer  passage.  But  in  the  night,  about 
twelve  of  the  clocke,  our  ship  did  driue  away  with  line  men 
and  a  boy  onely  in  it ;  our  carpenter  secretly  cut  their  own 
cable,  leaning  nineteene  of  vs  on  land  without  boate  or  any 
thing,  to  our  great  discomfort.  In  the  middest  of  these 
miseries,  reposing  or  trust  in  the  goodnesse  of  God,  which 
many  times  before  had  succoured  vs  in  our  greatest  extre- 
mities, we  contented  our  selues  with  our  poore  estate,  and 
sought  meanes  to  preserue  our  Hues.  And  because  one 
place  was  not  able  to  sustaine  vs,  we  tooke  our  leaues  one  of 
another,  diuiding  our  selues  into  seuerall  companies.  The 
greatest  reliefe  that  we  sixe  which  were  with  the  captaine 
could  finde  for  the  space  of  nine  and  twentie  dayes  was  the 
stalkes  of  purse-laine  boyled  in  water,  and  nowe  and  then  a 
pompion,  which  we  found  in  the  garden  of  the  olde  Indian, 
who  vpon  this  our  second  arriuall  with  his  three  sonnes  stole 
from  vs,  and  kept  himselfe  continually  aloft  in  the  moun- 
taines.  After  the  ende  of  nine  and  twentie  dayes  we  espied 
a  French  shippe,  which  afterwarde  we  vnderstood  to  be  of 
Diepe,  called  the  Luisa,  whose  captaine  was  one  Monsieur 
Felix,  vnto  whom  wee  made  a  fire,  at  sight  whereof  he  tooke 
in  his  topsayles,  bare  in  with  the  land,  and  shewed  us  his 
flagge,  whereby  we  iudged  him  French  ;  so  comming  along 
to  the  westerne  ende  of  the  island  there  he  ankered,  we 
makiug  downe  with  all  speede  vnto  him.  At  this  time  the 
Indian  and    his  three   sonnes  came   down  to   our  captaine, 


LANCASTER    RETURNETH    TO    DIEPE.  23 

Master  James  Lancaster,  and  went  along  with  him  to  the 
shippe.  This  night  he  went  aboord  the  French  man,  who 
gave  him  good  entertainment,  and  the  next  day  fetched 
eleueu  more  of  vs  aboord,  entreating  vs  all  very  courteously. 
This  day  came  another  French  shippe  of  the  same  towne  of 
Diepe,  which  remayned  there  vntill  night,  expecting  our 
other  seuen  mens  comming  downe  :  who,  albeit  we  caused 
certaine  pieces  of  ordinance  to  be  shot  off,  to  call  them,  yet 
came  not  downe.  Whereupon  we  departed  thence,  being 
deuided  sixe  into  one  ship,  and  sixe  into  another,  and  lean- 
ing this  island,  departed  for  the  north  side  of  Saint 
Domingo,  where  we  remained  vntill  Aprill  following  (1594), 
and  spent  two  monethes  in  traffike  with  the  inhabitants  by 
permission  for  hides  and  other  merchandises  of  the  countrey. 
In  this,  meane  while,  there  came  a  shippe  of  Newhaven  to 
the  place  where  we  were,  whereby  we  had  intelligence  of 
our  seuen  men  which  wee  left  behinde  us  at  the  Isle  of 
Mona,  which  was,  that  two  of  them  brake  their  neckes  with 
ventring  to  take  foules  vpon  the  cliffes  ;  other  three  wei^e 
slaine  by  the  Spaniards,  which  came  from  Saint  Domingo, 
vpon  knowledge  given  by  our  men  which  went  away  in  the 
Edward;  the  other  two  this  man  of  Newhaven  had  with 
him  in  his  shippe,  which  escaped  the  Spaniards  bloodie 
hands.  From  this  place  Captaine  Lancaster  and  his  lieute- 
nant, Master  Edmund  Barker,  shipped  themselves  in  another 
shippe  of  Diepe,  the  captaine  whereof  was  one  John  La 
Noe,  which  was  readie  first  to  come  away,  and  leauing  the 
rest  of  their  companie  in  other  ships,  where  they  were  well 
intreated,  to  come  after  him,  on  Sunday  the  seuenth  of 
April,  1594,  they  set  homewarde,  and  disbocking  through 
the  Caijcos,^  from  thence  arriued  safely  in  Diepe,  within  two 
and  fortie  dayes  after,  on  the  19  of  May,  where  after  we  had 
stayed  two  dayes  to  refi-esh  our  selues,  and  giuen  humble 
thanks  vnto  God,  and  vnto  our  friendly  neighbours,  we 
'  The  Caicos  Tasiage,  iu  the  Bahamas. 


24  END    OF    THE    VOYAGE, 

tooke  passage  for  Rie,  and  landed  there  on  Friday,  the  24  of 
May,  1594,  hauing  spent  in  this  voyage  three  yeeres,  sixe 
weekes  and  two  dayes,  which  the  Portugales  performe  in 
half  the  time,  chiefly  because  wee  lost  our  fit  time  and 
season  to  set  forth  in  the  beginning  of  our  voyage. 

We  vnderstood  in  the  East  Indies  by  certaine  Portugales 
which  we  tooke  that  they  have  lately  discouered  the  coast  of 
China  to  the  latitude  of  nine  and  fiftie  degrees,  finding  the 
sea  still  open  to  the  northward  ;  giuing  great  hope  of  the 
northeast  or  northwest  passage.  Witnesse,  Master  James 
Lancaster. 


NARRATIVE   OF   THE   FIRST   VOYAGE 

OF 

SIR     JAMES     LANCASTER, 


Br 
HENRY    MAY. 


A  briefe  note  of  a  voyage  to  the  East  Indies,  begun  the  10  of  April, 
1591,  wherein  were  three  tall  ships — the  Penelope  of  Captaine 
Raimond,  Admirall ;  the  Mei-chant  Royally  whereof  was  Captaine 
Samuel  Foxcroft,*  Vice-Admirall ;  the  Edward  Bonaveijtnre,  whereof 
was  Captaine  M.  James  Lancaster,  Rere- Admirall,  with  a  small 
pinnesse.  Written  by  Henry  May^  who,  in  his  returne  homeward  by 
the  West  Indies,  suffred  shipwracke  vpon  the  Isle  of  Bermuda, 
whereof  liere  is  annexed  a  large  description. 

The  tenth  of  April,  1591,  we  departed  from  Plymmoutli 
"with  the  ships  aforesayd.  In  May  following  wee  arriued  at 
Grand  Canaria,  one  of  the  fortunate  islands.  Also,  toward 
the  end  of  this  month  we  tooke  a  Portugall  shippe  being" 
bound  for  Brasil,  within  three  degrees  to  the  northward  of 
the  equinoctiall,  which  serued  greatly  to  our  refreshing. 
The  29  of  July  following  Ave  came  to  Aguada  Saldania,  a 
good  harbour  neere  the  Cape  of  Buona  Speranca,  where  we 
stayed  about  a  month  with  the  Merchant  royall,  which  by 
reason  of  sicknesse  in  our  fleet  was  sent  home  for  England 
with  diuers  weake  men.  Here  we  bought  an  oxe  for  a  knife 
of  threepence,  a  sheepe  for  a  broken  knife,  or  any  other  odd 
trifle  of  the  people  which  were  Negros,  clad  in  cloaks  or 
mantles   of   raw  hides,   both   men   and   women.     The  8  of 

'  According  to  the  preceding  narrative  of  Barker,  this  captain's  name 
was  Abraham  Kendall.     See  pages  4  and  17. 


26  AT    COMOKO    AND    ZANZIBAR. 

September  tte  Penelope  and  the  Edward  Bonaventure 
weyed  anker_,  and  that  day  we  doubled  the  Cape  of  Buona 
Speranca.  The  12  following"  we  were  taken  with  an 
extreame  tempest  or  huricano.  This  evening  we  saw  a 
great  sea  breake  ouer  our  Admirall,  the  Penelope^  and  their 
light  strooke  out :  and  after  that  we  neuer  saw  them  any 
more.  In  October  following,  we  in  the  Edward,  fell  with 
the  westermost  part  of  the  Isle  of  S.  Laurence  about  mid- 
night, knowing  not  where  we  were.  Also,  the  next  day  we 
came  to  an  anker  at  Quitangone,  a  place  on  the  mainland  of 
Africa,  which  is  two  or  three  leagues  to  the  northward  of 
Mozambique,  where  the  Portugals  of  the  Isle  of  Mo(;am- 
bique  fetch  all  their  fresh  water.  Here  we  tooke  a  pangaia, 
with  a  Portugall  boy  in  it ;  which  is  a  vessell  like  a  barge, 
with  one  matsaile  of  coco  nut  leaues.  The  barge  is  sowed 
together  with  the  rindes  of  trees,  and  pinned  with  wooden 
pinues.  In  this  pangaia  we  had  cei'taine  corne  called  millio, 
hennes,  and  some  fardels  of  blew  Calicut  cloth.  The  Por- 
tugall boy  we  tooke  with  vs,  and  dismissed  the  rest.  From 
this  place  we  went  for  an  island  called  Comoro,  vpon  the 
coast  of  Melinde,  which  standeth  about  11  degrees  to  the 
south  of  the  equinoctial :  in  which  island  we  sta3'ed  all 
Nouember,  finding  the  people  blacke  and  very  comly,  but 
very  treacherous  and  creull :  for  the  day  before  we  departed 
from  thence,  they  killed  thirty  of  our  men  on  shore,  among 
whom  was  William  Mace,  our  master,  and  two  of  his  mates; 
the  one  of  them  being  in  the  boat  with  him  to  fetch  water, 
the  other  being  on  shore  against  our  ship ;  they  hauiug 
first  betrayed  our  boat.  From  hence  we  went  for  the  Isle  of 
Zanzibar,  on  the  coast  of  Melinde;  whereas,  wee  stayed  and 
wintered  vutil  the  beginning  of  February  following. 

The  second  of  February,  1592,  wee  wayed  auker,  and  set 
saile  directly  for  the  East  Indies ;  but  hauing  calmes  and 
contrary  windes,  wee  were  vntill  the  moneth  of  June  before 
wee  could  recouer  the  coast  of  India  neerc  Calicut;  whereby 


NICUBAR.  27 

many  of  oiu'  men  died  for  want  of  refreshing.  In  the 
moneth  of  Juno  wc  came  to  an  anker  at  the  Isles  of  Pulo 
Pinaom,  whereas  we  stayed  vntill  the  first  day  of  September, 
our  men  being  very  sicke,  and  dying  apace.  This  day  we 
set  saile,  and  directed  our  course  for  Malaca  :  and  wee  had 
not  bene  farre  at  sea,  but  wee  tooke  a  shippe  of  the  king- 
dome  of  Pegu  of  some  fourescore  tunnes,  with  wooden 
ankers,  and  about  fiftie  men  in  her,  with  a  pinnesse  of  some 
eighteene  tunnes  at  her  stearne,  both  laden  with  pepper. 
But  their  pinnesse  stole  from  vs  in  a  gust  in  the  morning. 
Here  we  might  haue  taken  two  shippes  more  of  Pegu,  laden 
likewise  with  pepper  and  rice.  In  this  moneth  also  we 
tooke  a  great  Portugall  ship  of  six  or  seuen  hundred  tun, 
laden  chiefly  with  victuals,  chests  of  hats,  pintados,  and 
Calicut  clothes.  Besides  this,  we  tooke  another  Portugall 
ship  of  some  hundred  tun,  laden  with  victuals,  rice,  calicos, 
pintados,  and  other  commodities.  These  ships  were  bound 
for  Malaca  with  victuals  :  for  those  of  Goa,  of  S.  Thomas, 
and  of  other  places  in  the  Indies  doe  victuall  at,  because 
that  victuals  there  are  very  scarce. 

In  the  moneth  of  Nouember,  1592,  we  shaped  our  course 
for  the  Island  of  Nicubar,  lying  certaiue  leagues  to  the 
north-west  of  the  famous  Island  of  Sumatra  ;  whereas, 
within  short  time  wee  came  to  anker :  and  here  wee  had 
very  good  refreshing :  for  after  w^ee  arriued  there,  the 
people  (whom  we  found  in  religion  to  be  Mahumetans) 
came  aboord  vs  in  their  canoes,  with  hennes,  cocos,  plantans, 
and  other  fruits  :  and  within  two  dayes  they  brought  vnto 
vs  reals  of  plate,  giuing  vs  them  for  Calicut  cloth :  which 
reals  they  found  by  dining  in  the  sea,  which  were  lost  not 
long  before  in  two  Portugall  shippes  which  were  bound  for 
China,  and  were  cast  away  there.  This  was  the  furthest 
place  that  we  were  at  to  the  south-east :  and  heere,  be- 
cause our  company  by  this  time  was  much  wasted  and 
diminished,  we  resolued  to  turne  back  to  the  Isle  of  Zeilan. 


28  AT    SANTA    HEI-ENA. 

Wherefore,  we  wej-ed  anker  in  the  moneth  of  Nouember, 
and  arriued  at  Zeilan  about  the  end  of  the  same  moneth. 
In  this  island  groweth  great  store  of  excellent  cinamonn, 
and  the  best  diamonds  in  the  world.  Here  our  captaine 
meant  to  stay  to  make  vp  our  voyage :  whereof  hee  con- 
ceiued  great  hope,  by  certaine  intelligence  which  wee  had  re- 
ceiued ;  but  the  company,  which  were  in  all  but  33  men 
and  boyes,  being  in  a  mutiny,  and  every  day  ready  to  go 
together  by  the  eares  (the  captaine  being  sicke  and  like  for 
to  die),  would  not  stay,  but  would  needs  go  home. 

The  8  of  December,  1592,  we  set  saile  homeward,  but 
some  15  dayes  before  we  had  sight  of  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  we  were  forced  to  share  our  bread,  by  reason  we  had 
certaine  flies  in  our  ship,  which  deuoured  most  part  of  our 
bread  before  we  were  aware  :  so  that  when  we  came  to 
sharing,  we  had  but  31  pounds  of  bread  a  man  to  carry  vs 
into  England,  with  a  small  quantity  of  rice  a  day. 

The  last  of  March,  1593,  we  doubled  the  Cape  of  Bona 
SperanQa. 

In  April  next  insuing  we  came  to  anker  at  the  Island  of 
S.  Helena  ;  whereas  we  found  an  English  man,  a  tailer, 
which  had  bene  there  14  moneths  before  we  came  thither : 
so  we  sending  our  boat  on  shore  with  some  ten  men,  they 
found  this  English  man  in  the  chapell,  who  by  reason  of 
the  heat  of  the  climate,  was  inforced  to  keepe  himselfe  out 
of  the  sun.  Our  company  hearing  one  sing  in  the  chapell, 
supposing  it  had  bene  some  Portugall,  thrust  open  the 
doore,  and  went  in  vnto  him  :  but  the  poore  man,  seeing  so 
many  come  in  vpon  him  on  the  sudden,  and  thinking  them 
to  be  Portugals,  was  first  in  such  a  feare,  not  hauing  scene 
any  man  in  14  moneths  before,  and  afterwards  knowing 
them  to  be  Englishmen,  and  some  of  them  his  acquaintance, 
in  such  ioy,  that,  what  betweene  excessiue  sudden  feare  and 
ioy,  he  became  distracted  of  his  wits,  to  our  great  sorowes. 
Here  we  found,  of  his  drying,  some  40  goats.    The  party  had 


IN    THE    WEST    INDIES.  29 

made  him,  for  want  of  apparell,  two  sutes  of  goats'  skinnes 
with  the  hairy  side  outwards,  like  vnto  the  sauages  of 
Canada.  Here  we  stayed  all  this  moneth.  This  man  liued 
vntill  we  came  to  the  West  Indies,  and  then  he  died. 

In  the  moneth  of  June,  1593,  we  arriued  at  the  Island  of 
Trinidad,  in  the  West  Indies,  hoping  there  to  finde  refresh- 
ing: but  we  could  not  get  any,  by  reason  that  the  Spanyards 
had  taken  it.  Here  we  were  irabayed  betweene  the  island 
and  the  maine ;  and,  for  want  of  victuals,  the  company 
would  haue  forsaken  the  ship  :  whereupon,  the  captains  was 
inforced  to  sweare  euery  man  not  to  forsake  the  ship  vntill 
we  should  see  further  occasion.  Out  of  this  bay,  called  Boca 
de  Dragone,  it  pleased  God, to  deliuer  vs  :  from  whence  we 
directed  our  course  for  the  Island  of  S.  Juan  de  Puerto  Rico, 
but  fell  with  the  small  Isle  of  Mona,  where  we  abode  some 
fifteene  dayes,  finding  in  that  place  some  small  refreshing. 
And  heere  arriued  a  ship  of  Caen  in  Normandy,  whereof  was 
captaine  one  Monsieur  Charles  de  la  Bai'botiere,  who  greatly 
refreshed  vs  with  bread  and  other  prouision,  which  we , 
greatly  wanted.  And  so  we  tooke  our  leaues  the  one  of 
the  other. 

In  July,  hauing  foule  weather  at  Mona,  we  were  forced 
to  wey  anker,  and  to  set  saile,  directing  our  course  for 
Cape  Tiburon  :  and  in  doubling  of  the  Cape  we  had  a  gust 
fi'om  the  shore,  Avhich  cai-ied  away  all  our  sailes  from  the 
yards  :  so  that  we  had  left  but  one  new  forecourse  to  helpe 
our  selues  withall :  which  canuas  the  aforesayd  French- 
man did  helpe  vs  with  all.  Also,  hauing  doubled  the  fore- 
sayd  Cape  in  the  distresse  aforenamed,  the  foresayd  capitan 
de  la  Barbotiere,  with  his  pinnesse,  gaue  chase  vnto  vs 
againe ;  who,  being  come  nere  vnto  vs,  I  went  aboord  him, 
certifying  him  what  distresse  we  were  in.  The  gentleman 
replied  to  me  againe,  that  there  was  not  anything  in  his 
shippe,  but  what  he  could  spare  he  would  helpe  vs  withall. 
So,  to  conclude,  we  agreed  with  him  for  canuas.    Moreover, 


30  MUTINOUS    COMPLOTTING. 

he  sayd  that  if  we  would  go  with  him  to  an  hai'bour  called 
Gonnany,  which  is  to  the  north  of  Cape  Tiburon^  that  then 
he  would  helpe  vs  with  fresh  victuals  enough.  Whei*eon  I 
returned  aboord  our  ship,  and  certified  our  captaine  of  all : 
who  made  it  knowen  vnto  the  company ;  which  no  sooner 
heard  of  it,  but  they  would  all  go  in.  So  here  we  staled 
with  the  aforesaid  Frenchman  15  dayes  :  but  small  refresh- 
ing we  could  get,  because  the  Spaniards  stood  in  some  feare 
of  the  Frenchman  of  war,  supposing  our  ship  to  be  a  Portu- 
gal, and  that  we  were  his  pi'ize ;  neuerthelesse,  hee  certified 
to  the  contrary.  And,  in  staying  so  long  with  him,  and 
hauing  little  refreshing,  our  company  began  to  be  in  a 
mutiny,  and  made  report  that  the  captaine  and  I  went 
aboord  the  Frenchman  but  to  make  good  cheere,  and  had 
not  any  care  of  them  :  but  I  protest  before  God,  that  our 
care  was  to  get  victuals  whereby  we  might  haue  bene  gone 
from  him.  But,  in  the  meanetime,  a  great  part  of  our  com- 
pany had  conspired  to  take  away  the  Frenchman's  pinuesse, 
and  with  her  to  boord  the  man  of  warre.  While  these 
things  were  in  complottiug,  one  of  their  consorts  went 
aboord  the  Frenchman,  and  certified  him  of  all  the  con- 
spiracy. Whereupon  the  captaine  of  the  French  ship  sent 
for  our  captaine  and  we  to  come  aboord  to  dinner  :  and  we 
stayed  with  him  all  the  afternoone,  being  inuited  vnto  sup- 
per; and,  being  at  supper,  he  himselfe  would  not  a  great 
while  come  to  vs  :  but  at  leng-th  he  came.  At  his  commino- 
we  asked  of  him  what  newes.  Who  answered  vs,  that  either 
we  must  depart  from  him,  or  els  he  must  goe  seeke  some 
other  harborow.  Whereupon,  I  told  captaine  Lancaster, 
who  prayed  me  to  tell  him  that,  rather  then  he  would  be 
any  hindrance  vnto  him,  we  would  be  gone.  But,  in  the 
mean  time,  while  we  were  thus  talking  together,  the  French- 
man weyed  and  set  saile :  which  we  percei'ued,  and  asked 
him  what  he  meant  by  it.  He  replied  to  the  captaine  and 
me,  that  he  kept  vs  for  his  security,  and  that  our  men  had 


HELP    FROM    A    FRENCHMAN.  31 

purposed  as  is  aforcsayd.  "When  he  came  thwart  our  sliippe, 
it  blew  a  prety  gaile  of  winde  :  the  boat  being  asterne  of 
them,  hauing  in  her  two  Moores  and  two  men  of  Pegu, 
which  we  liad  giuen  them,  brake  away.  Then  was  the 
Frenchman  worse  then  before,  and  did  threaten  vs  very  sore 
that  we  should  pay  his  voyage.  In  the  meanetime,  the 
Edward,  seeing  vs  part,  weyed  and  set  saile  to  go  for  Eng- 
land :  and  they  did  share  among  them  all  the  captaine's 
victuals  and  mine,  when  they  saw  the  Frenchman  keepe  vs 
as  prisoners. 

So  the  next  morning  we  went  to  seeke  out  the  French- 
man's pinnesse  ;  which  being  at  Laguna  we  shot  off  a  piece, 
and  so  she  came  to  vs,  hauing  in  her  three  more  of  our  com- 
pany, Edmund  Barker,  our  lieutenant,  and  one  John  West, 
and  Richard  Lucland,  one  of  the  mutinous  crew.  The  which 
I  told  the  Frenchman  of,  and  he  could  not  deny,  but  there 
was  such  a  thing  pretended.  Then  I  was  put  into  the  French 
pinnesse  to  seeke  their  boat ;  and  in  the  meane  time  they 
would  go  to  see  if  they  could  ouertake  our  shippe.  And  the 
next  day  we  should  meet  againe  at  Cape  S.  Nicolas ;  so  the 
next  morning  we  met  together  all  three  of  vs,  but  heard  no 
newes  of  his  boat.  So  he  hauing  Spanyards  and  Negros 
aboord  of  vs,  requested  to  haue  them.  Our  captaine  desired 
him  to  send  his  boat  aboord  our  shippe,  and  he  should  haue 
them  with  all  his  heart.  So  with  much  adoe  he  sent  his 
boat  and  had  them.  Then  he  demanded  of  them  if  his  boat 
were  not  aboord  the  ship.  They  answered  no.  So  that 
then  Monsieur  de  la  Barbotiere  was  satisfied ;  and  then  we 
were  great  friends  again  to  all  our  ioyes. 

The  12  of  August,  1593,  our  captaine  was  sent  aboord 
our  ship,  but  before  his  departure  he  requested  the  captaine 
of  the  French  ship  that  he  would  give  me  a  passage  home 
with  him,  to  certifie  the  owners  what  had  passed  in  all  our 
voyage,  as  also  the  vnrulinesse  of  the  company.  And  this 
day  we  tooke  our  leaues  the  one  of  the  other;  the  Edward 


32  SHIPWRECK    AT    BERMUDA. 

for  England,  and  we  bare  in  for  Gonnany,  where  afterwards 
we  found  the  Frenchman's  boat.  The  last  of  Nouember, 
1593,  Monsieur  de  la  Barbotiere  departed  from  a  port  called 
Laguna,  in  Hispaniola.  The  17  of  December  next  insuing, 
it  was  his  fortune  to  haue  his  ship  cast  away  upon  the  north- 
west part  of  the  Isle  of  Bermuda  about  midnight ;  the 
pilots  making  themselues  at  noone  to  be  to  the  southward 
of  the  island  twelue  leagues,  certified  the  captaine  that  they 
were  out  of  all  danger.  So  they  demanded  of  him  their 
wine  of  heighth ;  the  which  they  had.  And  being,  as  it 
should  seeme,  after  they  had  their  wine,  carelesse  of  their 
charge  which  they  tooke  in  hand,  being  as  it  were  drunken, 
through  their  negligence  a  number  of  good  men  were  cast 
away ;  and  I  being  but  a  stranger  among  50  and  odde 
Frenchmen  and  others,  it  pleased  God  to  appoint  me  to  be 
one  of  them  that  were  saved,  I  hope  to  his  service  and  glory. 
We  made  account  at  the  first  that  we  were  cast  away  hard 
by  the  shore,  being  hie  cliffs,  but  we  found  our  selues  seuen 
leagues  off;  but  with  our  boat  and  a  raft  which  we  had 
made  and  towed  at  our  boat's  sterne,  we  were  saved  some 
26  of  vs  ;  among  whom  were  no  more  English  but  my  selfe. 
Now  being  among  so  many  strangers,  and  seeing  not  roome 
for  the  one  halfe,  I  durst  neither  presse  into  the  boat,  nor 
vpon  the  raft,  for  feare  lest  they  should  haue  cast  me  ouer- 
boord,  or  else  haue  killed  me ;  so  I  stayed  in  the  ship  which 
was  almost  full  of  water,  vntill  the  captaine  being  entred 
the  boat  culled  me  vnto  him  being  at  hand,  for  that  it  stood 
vpon  life  or  death ;  and  so  I  presently  entred,  leaning  the 
better  halfe  of  our  company  to  the  mercy  of  the  sea.  After 
this  we  rowed  all  the  day  vntil  an  hour  or  two  before  night 
yer  we  could  come  on  land,  towing  the  raft  with  the  boat. 
When  we  came  on  shore,  being  all  the  day  without  drinke, 
eveiy  man  tooke  his  way  to  see  if  he  could  linde  any  ;  but 
it  was  long  before  any  was  found.  At  length  one  of  the 
pilots  digging  among  a  company  of  weeds  found  fresh  water 


SHIPWEECKED   AT    BERMUDA.  33 

to  all  our  great  comfort^  being  only  raine  water ;  and  this 
was  all  the  fresh  water  that  we  found  on  the  shore.  But 
there  are  in  this  island  many  fine  bayes^  wherein,  if  a  man 
did  dig,  I  thinke,  there  might  be  foud  store  of  fresh  water. 
This  island  is  diuided  all  into  broken  islands :  and  the 
greatest  part  I  was  vpon,  which  might  be  some  4  or  5  miles 
long,  and  2  miles  and  a  halfe  ouer;  being  all  woods,  as 
cedar  and  other  timber,  but  cedar  is  the  chiefest.  Now,  it 
pleased  God,  before  our  ship  did  split,  that  we  saued  our 
carpenters^  tooles,  or  els  I  thinke  we  had  bene  there  to 
this  day:  and  hauing  recoured  the  aforesaid  tooles,  we  went 
roundly  about  the  cutting  downe  of  ti'ees,  and  in  the  end 
built  a  small  barke  of  some  18  tun,  for  the  most  part  with 
trounels  and  very  few  nailes.  As  for  tackling,  we  made  a 
voyage  aboord  the  ship  before  she  split,  and  cut  downe  the 
shrowds,  and  so  we  tackled  our  barke  and  rigged  her.  In 
stead  of  pitch  we  made  lime,  and  mixed  it  with  the  oile  of 
tortoises ;  and,  assoone  as  the  carpenters  had  calked,  I  and 
another,  with  ech  of  vs  a  small  sticke  in  our  hands,  did 
plaister  the  morter  into  the  seames  ;  and,  being  in  April, 
when  it  was  warm  and  fair  weather,  we  could  no  sooner  lay 
it  on,  but  it  was  dry,  and  as  hard  as  a  stone.  In  this  moneth 
of  April,  1594,  the  weather  being  very  hot,  we  were  afrayd 
our  water  should  faile  vs,  and  therefore  made  the  more 
haste  away :  and,  at  our  departure,  we  were  constrained  to 
make  two  great  chests,  and  calked  them,  and  stowed  them 
on  ech  side  of  our  maine  mast,  and  so  put  in  our  prouision 
of  raine  water,  and  13  liue  tortoises  for  our  food,  for  our 
voyage  which  we  intended  to  Newfoundland.  In  the  south 
part  of  this  Island  of  Bermuda  there  are  hogs,  but  they  are 
so  leane  that  you  can  not  eat  them,  by  reason  the  island  is 
so  barren  :  but  it  yeeldeth  great  store  of  fowle,  fish,  and 
tortoises.  And  to  the  eastward  of  the  island  are  very  good 
harbours,  so  that  a  shippe  of  200  tun  may  ride  there  land- 
locked, without   any  danger,  with  water  enough.     Also  in 

D 


34  MR.    MAY    RETURNS    HOME. 

this  island  is  as  good  fishing  for  pearles  as  is  any  in  the  West 
Indies,  but  that  the  place  is  subject  to  foule  weather,  as 
thundering,  lightning,  and  raine :  but  in  April  and  part  of 
May  we  had  very  faire  and  hot  weather. 

The  1 1  of  May  it  pleased  God  to  set  vs  cleere  of  the  island, 
to  the  no  little  ioy  of  vs  all,  after  we  had  lined  in  the  same 
almost  the  space  of  5  moneths.  An  the  20  of  May  we  fell 
with  the  land  nere  to  Cape  Briton,  where  we  ran  into  a 
fresh  water  riuer,  whereof  there  be  many,  and  tooke  in  wood, 
water,  and  ballast.  And  here  the  people  of  the  countrey 
came  vnto  vs,  being  clothed  all  in  furs,  with  the  furred  side 
vnto  their  skins,  and  brought  with  them  furres  of  sundry 
sorts  to  sell,  besides  great  store  of  wild  ducks :  so,  some  of 
our  company  hauing  saued  some  small  beads,  bought  some 
of  their  ducks.  Here  we  stayed  not  aboue  foure  houres, 
and  so  departed.  This  should  seeme  to  be  a  very  good 
countrey.  And  we  saw  very  fine  champion  ground,  and 
woods.  From  this  place  we  ranne  for  the  banke  of  New- 
foundland, whereas  we  met  with  diners,  but  none  would 
take  in  a  man  of  vs,  vntill  it  pleased  God  that  wee  met  with 
a  barke  of  Falmouth,  which  receiued  vs  all  for  a  little  time ; 
and  with  her  we  tooke  a  French  ship,  wherein  I  left  Cap- 
tain de  la  Barbotiere,  my  deere  friend,  and  all  his  company, 
and  stayed  myselfe  aboord  the  English  barke :  and  hauing 
passage  in  the  same,  in  the  moneth  of  August  I  arriued  at 
Falmouth,  1594. 


THE    VOYAGE 

OF 

CAPTAIN    JAMES     LANCASTER 

lO 

PEENAMBUCO. 


The  well  gouerned  and  prosperous  voyage  of  M.  James  Lancaster  be- 
gun with  three  ships  and  a  galley-frigate  from  London,  in  October 
1594,  and  intended  for  Feniamhuck^  the  porte-towne  of  Olinda,  in 
Brasil.'  In  which  voyage  (besides  the  taking  of  nine  and  twenty 
ships  and  frigats)  he  surprized  the  sayd  port-towne,  being  strongly 
fortified  and  manned ;  and  held  possession  thereof  thirty  dayes  to- 
gether (notwithstanding  many  bolde  assaults  of  the  enemy,  both  by 
land  and  water),  and  also  prouidently  defeated  their  dangerous  and 
almost  ineuitable  fire-works.  Heere  he  found  the  cargazon  or 
freight  of  a  rich  East  Indian  carack ;  which,  together  with  great 
abundance  of  sugars,  Brasil-wood,  and  cotton,  he  brought  from 
thence ;  lading  therewith  fifteene  sailes  of  tall  ships  and  barks. 

In  September  1594^  the  worshipful!  M.  John  Wats,  Alder- 
man j  M.  Paul  Banning,  Alderman ;  and  others  of  worship 
in  the  City  of  London,  victualled  three  good  ships ;  to  wit, 
the  Consent,  of  the  burthen  of  240  tunnes  or  thereabout ; 
the  Salamon,  of  170  tunnes;  and  the  Virgin,  of  60  tunnes  : 
and   appointed  for  commanders  in  this  voyage  M.  James 

'  A  factory  was  originally  settled  at  Pernambuco  by  a  ship  from 
Marseilles  ;  but  in  1530  the  line  of  coast  from  the  Kio  de  San  Francisco 
to  the  Rio  de  Juraza  was  granted  to  Duarte  Coelho  Pereira,  and  he 
came  there  with  his  family  to  found  a  colony,  landing  at  the  port  of 
Pernambuco.  He  exclaimed,  "  0  que  linda  situa^ain!^'\  hence  the  town 
was  called  Olinda,  and  the  fort  Recife.  During  the  first  years  the  new 
colony  had  to  resist  incessant  hostilities  from  the  Cahetes  Indians ; 
but  afterwards  it  enjoyed  a  long  period  of  prosperity. 

d2 


36  .  THE    FLEET    IS    SCATTEEED. 

Lancaster,^  of  London,  gentleman_,  admirall  of  the  fleet ;  M. 
Edmund  Barker,  of  London,  vice  admirall ;  and  M.  John 
Audely,  of  Poplar,  neere  London,  rei-e  admirall,  hauing  in 
their  sayd  ships  to  the  number  of  275  men  and  boyes. 

Being  fully  fui-nished  with  all  needfull  pi'ouision,  wee  de- 
parted from  Blackwall  in  October  following,  keeping  our 
owne  coast,  vntill  we  came  into  the  West  Countre}^,  where 
we  met  with  such  gusts  and  stormes,  that  the  Salomon 
spending  her  mast  at  the  Range  of  Dartmouth,  put  into 
harbour ;  but  by  the  earnest  care  and  industry  of  the  gene- 
rail  and  others  hauing  charge,  she  was  shortly  againe  pro- 
uided.  Which  done,  hauing  a  pleasant  gale  for  our  purpose, 
we  put  foorth  from  Dartmouth  the  last  of  Nouember  follow- 
ing. But  contrary  to  our  expectation,  not  fifty  leagues  from 
our  owne  coast,  we  lost  the  Salomon  and  the  A-^ii-gin,  by  a 
storme  of  contrary  winde  that  fell  vpon  vs:  yet,  being  alone, 
in  hope  to  meet  them  about  the  Canaries  or  Cape  Blank, 
we  kept  on  our  course  to  the  Canaries,  but  could  heare  no 
tidings  of  our  consorts ;  which  greatly  grieued  vs. 

Thence  we  went,  bearing  for  the  Isle  of  Teuerif,  where, 
in  the  morning  early,  we  had  sight  of  a  saile,  which  being 
becalmed  vnder  the  shore,  was  towing  with  their  boat 
ahead,  hauing  one  other  at  her  sterne.  For  this  saile  we 
manned  our  boat,  appointing  our  men  wel  for  fight,  if  need 
should  require.  Tlie  Spaniards,  seeing  our  boat  come, 
entred  theirs,  and  leauing  the  ship,  sought  to  saue  them- 
selues  by  flight :  but  our  men  persued  them  so  fast,  that 
they  boorded  them,  and  brought  them  with  their  shippe  to 
our  generall.    This  ship  was  laden  with  80  tunnes  of  Canary- 

1  Southey  says  tliat  there  was  what  may  be  called  moral  treason,  on 
the  part  of  Lancaster,  in  bearing  arms  against  the  Portuguese,  because 
he  had,  by  his  own  account,  been  brought  up  among  them,  lived  among 
them  as  a  gentleman,  served  with  them  as  a  soldier,  and  dwelt  among 
them  as  a  merchant. — History  of  Brazil,  ii,  p.  3G4. 

Southey  gives  an  account  of  the  expedition  of  Lancaster  against  Per- 
nambuco. — /?»'</.,  pp.  364-71. 


SPEECH    TO    THE    MEN.  37 

wine,  -n-lncli  came  not  vnto  vs  before  it  was  welcome.  "We 
kept  and  manned  it_,  plying  that  day,  and  the  next  night 
thereabout.  The  very  next  morning  we  had  sight  of  one 
other ;  to  whome,  in  like  manor,  wee  sent  our  boat :  but 
their  gunner  made  a  shot  at  her,  and  strooke  off  a  propper 
yoang  man's  arme ;  yet  we  inforced  her  to  yeeld,  and  found 
40  tunues  of  wine  in  her.  The  Spaniards  hauing  their  free 
passage,  and  an  acquitance  for  the  deliuery  of  their  wines, 
were  all  set  on  shore  vpon  Tenerif,  making  a  quicke  returne 
of  their  long  voyage  intended  into  the  West  Indies. 

Hence  we  departed  toward  Cape  Blank  ;  and  before  wee 
came  thithei',  we  met  agaiue  with  the  Virgin,  our  rere 
admirall,  whose  men  tolde  vs  for  very  trueth,  that  the  Salo- 
men  was  returned  for  England;  inforced  so  to  doe,  by  spend- 
ing her  mast  the  second  time.  Which,  when  our  men 
vnderstood,  they  were  all  in  a  maze,  not  knowing  what  to 
doe,  and  saying  among  themselues  that  their  force  was  but 
small  when  all  our  strength  were  together,  and  now  we  had 
lost  the  one  halfe  of  our  strength,  we  were  not  able  to  per- 
forme  the  voyage :  and  therefore  some  of  them  came  to  the 
captain,  asking  him  what  he  would  now  do,  seeing  the 
Salomon  was  lost,  the  one  halfe  of  our  strength,  giuing  him 
counsell  to  beare  vp  for  the  West  Indies,  and  proue  there 
to  make  his  voyage,  because  his  first  plat  for  want  of 
strength  was  cleane  ouerthrown.  The  captaine  hearing  this 
new  nouelty,  as  not  vnacquainted  with  the  variable  pretenses 
of  mariners,  made  them  this  answere  :  Sirs,  I  made  knowen 
to  you  all  at  my  comming  out  of  England  what  I  pretended, 
and  that  I  meant  to  go  for  Fernambuck ;  and,  although  at 
the  present  we  want  one  of  our  ships,  yet  (God  willing)  I 
meane  to  go  forward,  not  doubting  but  to  meet  her  at  the 
appointed  places,  which  are  either  at  Cape  Blank  or  the 
Islands  of  Cape  Verde  :  for  I  am  assured  that  M.  Barker, 
the  captaine,  is  so  resolute  to  performe  this  voyage,  that 
his  mast  being  repaired,  he  will  not  faile  to  meet  vs,  and  it 


38  THE    SALAMON    JOINS    COMPANY. 

were  no  wisdome  for  vs  to  diuert  our  course,  till  we  haue 
sought  liim  at  those  places  where  our  appointed  meeting  is: 
for  the  diuerting  of  courses  is  the  ouerthi'ow  of  most  of  our 
actions.  And  I  hope  you  will  be  all  contented  herewith : 
for  to  go  any  other  course  then  I  haue  determined  (by  God's 
helpe),  I  will  not  be  drawen  vnto.  With  these  reasons  and 
many  others  shewed,  they  rested  all  satisfied  :  and  at  our 
comming  to  Cape  Blank  (God  be  praised)  we  met  with  the 
Salamon,  with  no  small  ioy  to  vs  all ;  and  there  she  had 
taken  of  Spaniards  and  Portugals  24  saile  of  ships  and 
caravels,  fishermen,  and  had  taken  out  of  them  such  neces- 
saries as  she  had  need  of.  Of  these  ships  our  captaine  tooke 
four  along  with  him,  with  another  that  he  had  taken  him- 
selfe,  meaning  to  imploy  them  as  occasion  should  serue.  At 
this  place  he  vnderstood  of  one  of  the  pilots  of  those  ships, 
that  one  of  the  caracks  that  came  out  of  the  East  Indies 
was  cast  away  in  the  rode  of  Fernambuc,  and  that  all  her 
goods  were  layd  vpon  the  Arraqise,  which  is  the  lower  towne. 
Of  these  newes  we  were  all  glad,  and  reioyced  much ;  for 
our  hopes  were  very  good,  seeing  such  a  booty  before  vs. 

Of  this  good  company  and  happy  successe  we  were  all 
ioyful,  and  had  great  hope  of  the  blessing  of  God  in  per- 
formance of  our  intended  voyage ;  and  so,  after  some  parle 
and  making  frolike  for  ioy  of  our  meeting  one  with  the 
other  (praising  God  for  all),  we  plied  for  Maio :  where, 
comming  to  anker,  our  generall  and  the  rest  of  the  captaines 
went  ashore  to  view  the  place  where  we  might  in  best  safety 
set  our  gally-frigat  together :  which  frame  wee  brought 
from  England  of  purpose  to  land  men  in  the  country  of 
Brasil.  Here  we  discharged  our  great  prize  of  wine,  and 
set  her  on  fire  :  but  before  our  comming  thither  you  shall 
vnderstand,  we  had  sight  of  foure  sailes,  which  was  Captaine 
Venner,  in  his  ship  the  Pereginne,  and  a. proper  Biskaine, 
which  he  tooke  at  Cape  Blank;  the  Welcome  of  Plymouth, 
and  her  pinnessc  :  all  of  which  stood  with  vs.     But  they 


THEY    BUILD    A    GALLY    FRIGAT.  39 

seeing  our  flags,  not  expecting  such  good  fellowes  as  we 
did  beare  from  vs  all  they  might ;  which  our  people  tooke 
very  vnkiudly,  that  being  all  friends,  they  would  neither 
enquire  nor  tell  vs  any  newes  of  our  friondsj  but  without 
making  any  shew  of  kiadnes  would  so  depart.  As  before, 
I  haue  said,  the  choice  being  made  for  the  place  to  build  the 
gally-frigat,  ashore  it  was  brought,  where  the  carpenters 
applied  their  worke,  still  cheered  vnto  it  by  the  general's 
good  gifts  bestowed  among  them,  and  kind  vsage  of  the 
rest  of  the  commanders,  not  without  great  care  of  the  cap- 
taine  for  the  safety  of  them  all,  by  keeping  good  watch : 
yet  one  negligent  fellow,  which  had  no  knowledge  of  the 
country,  straying  from  his  company,  was  by  the  Portugals 
taken,  and  very  kindly  vsed,  and  brought  againe  vnto  vs  : 
for  which  good  the  generall  rewarded  them  well  with  gifts 
very  acceptable,  which  they  tooke  as  kindly.  While  wee 
were  thus  busily  imployed  about  the  foresayd  galley,  we 
descried  at  sea  foure  sailes,  which  we  had  good  hope  would 
haue  proovied  Indies  men,  or  some  to  haue  brought  vs  what 
wee  looked  for  :  but  they  proued  Captaine  Venner  with  his 
fleet,  as  afoi-esayd,  who,  seeing  vs  at  anker,  ankered  also ; 
whei'e,  spending  some  time,  and  being  acquainted  with  our 
generaFs  determination  for  landing,  consorted  with  vs,  and 
their  bils,  according  to  the  maner  of  the  sea,  were  made  and 
signed  on  either  part,  we  to  haue  three  parts  and  he  the 
fourth  of  all  that  should  be  taken,  wherby  our  strength  was 
increased,  to  all  our  comforts.  Three  weeks,  or  thereabouts, 
we  stayd  in  this  place,  before  the  gaily  was  finished ;  which 
done,  putting  men  into  her,  and  fitting  her  with  oares, 
hauing  fourteene  banks  on  a  side,  a  mast  and  saile,  the  com- 
mandement  of  her  was  committed  vnto  M.  Wats,  an  honest 
skilfull  mariner. 

From  thence  we  put  again  to  sea,  and  went  for  the  He  of 
Braua,  where  we  watered  :  which  done,  we  made  no  long 
stay  after,  but  bent  our  course  as  directly  as  we  could  for 


40  OFF  THE  HARBOBOW  OF  FERNAMBUCK. 

tlie  place,  making  our  first  fall  with  the  land  to  the  south- 
ward of  Cape  S.  Augustine,  from  whence  wee  plied  still  to 
our  desired  port  of  Fernambuck,  and  did  so  much,  that 
about  midnight  we  came  before  the  harbour  ;^  where  some 
plied  vp  and  downe,  holding  that  the  best  policy  to  forbeare 
the  entring  till  day  might  giue  them  light,  the  harborow 
being  hard,  and,  therefore,  the  more  perillous.  Our  ships 
being  in  safety  well  arriued,  God  was  praised  ;  and  the 
generall  in  his  boat  went  from  ship  to  ship,  willing  them  to 
make  ready  such  men  as  they  could  spare,  with  muskets, 
pikes,  billes,  bowes,  arrowes,  and  what  weapons  they  had  to 
follow  him.  Himselfe,  with  80  men  from  his  owne  ship, 
imbarked  himselfe  in  the  gaily,  which  carried  in  her  prow  a 
good  sacar,  and  two  murdering  pieces. 

Our  admiral  spent  all  the  night  in  giuing  directions  to 
euery  ship  to  haue  their  men  ready  shipped  in  their  boats, 
for  he  intended  to  enter  the  harborow  at  the  breake  of  day, 
and  to  leaue  his  ships  without  till  he  had  gotten  the  fort 
and  the  towne  :  for  he  would  not  aduenture  the  ships  in, 
till  the  harborow  was  gotten.  Also  he  prouided  fine  ships, 
which  he  brought  from  Cape  Blank,  and  put  men  in  them 
as  many  as  could  conueniently  saile  them,  and  no  more, 
giuing  them  charge  to  enter  the  harborow  with  his  boats  : 
for  at  the  entrance  of  the  harborow  rode  three  great 
Holland  ships,  which  our  admirall  doubted  would  impeach 
his  going  in ;  and,  therefore,  he  gaue  order  to  the  men  of 
these  fine  small  ships,  which  were  not  aboue  60  tunnes  a 
piece,  if  the  Hollanders  did  offer  any  resistance,  to  run 
aboord  of  them,  and  to  set  their  owne  ships  on  fire,  and 
scape  in  their  boats,  which  they  had  for  the  same  purpose, 
that  by'this  meanes  they  might  not  impeach  our  entrance. 
But  when  the  morning  was  come,  we  were  fallen  aboue  halfe 
a  mile  downe  to  the  northward,  below  the  harborow,  which 
was  a  great  inconuenience  vnto  vs ;  so  that  before  we  could 
'  Recife,  the  port  of  Pernambuco. 


PREPARATIONS    FOE    THE    ATTACK".  41 

get  vp  againe,  the  ebbe  was  come  vpon  vs^  and  thereby  we 
AA'ere  forced  to  hoiier  before  the  harborow  till  two  of  the 
clocke  in  the  afternoone,  in  the  sight  of  all  the  towne.  In 
this  meane  time,  our  ships  rode  before  the  fort  without  the 
harborow,  about  a  demy-coluering  shot  off:  in  the  which 
time  passed  many  shot  betweene  the  fort  and  the  shij^s,  and 
especially  betweene  the  admirals  ship  and  them  :  but  no 
great  harm  was  done  on  either  part.  All  this  while  our 
admirall  kept  the  men  ready,  houering  in  the  gaily  and  the 
boats.  The  Hollanders  that  rode  in  the  mouth  of  the  har- 
borow, seeing  our  resolution,  layd  out  haulsers,  and  wound 
themselves  out  of  the  Avay  of  vs.  Our  admiral  was  very 
ioyfull,  and  gaue  great  incouragement  to  all  his  men  :  for  to 
passe  these  three  great  Hollanders  he  held  it  the  greatest 
danger  of  all.  About  ]  2  of  the  clocke  the  gouerner  of 
the  towne  sent  a  Portugall  aboord  the  admiralls  ship,  to 
know  what  he  would  haue,  and  wherefore  he  came.  He  re- 
turned him  this  answere:  That  he  wanted  the  caracks  goods; 
and  for  them  he  came,  and  them  he  would  haue,  and  that  he 
should  shortly  see.  In  this  processe  of  time,  the  townes- 
men  and  inhabitants  which  saw  so  much  shipping,  and  per- 
ceiued  vs  to  be  enemies,  gathered  themselues  together, 
three  or  foure  ensignes  of  men,  esteemed  to  the  number 
of  some  six  hundred  at  the  least.  These  came  to  the  fort 
or  plat-forme  lying  ouer  against  the  entry  of  the  harborow, 
and  there  attended  our  landing;  but  before  our  admirall  set 
forward  with  his  boats,  he  gave  expresse  order  to  all  that  ■ 
had  charge  of  gourning  the  boats  or  galley,  to  run  them 
Avith  such  violence  against  the  shore  that  they  should  be  all 
cast  away  without  recouery,  and  not  one  man  to  stay  in 
them,  whereby  our  men  might  haue  no  manner  of  retreat  to 
trust  vnto,  but  onely  to  God  and  their  weapons. 

Now  was  the  time  come  of  the  flood,  being  about  two  of 
the  clocke  in  the  afternoone,  when  our  admirall  set  forward, 
and  entered  the  harborow  with  the  small  galley,  and  all  the 


42  THE    FORT    CAPTURED. 

rest  of  the  boats  followed  him^  the  Hollanders  that  rode  in 
the  mouth  of  the  harborow,  nothing  impeached  him ;  but 
now  the  fort  began  to  play  with  their  ordinance  vpon  the 
galley  and  boats ;  and  one  of  their  shot  tooke  away  a  great 
piece  of  our  ensigne  out  of  the  galley.  But  our  saile  being 
set,  it  was  no  time  for  vs  to  make  any  stay  ;  but  with  all  the 
force  we  could  we  ranne  the  galley  vpon  the  shore  right 
vnder  the  fort,  within  a  coits  cast  of  it,  with  such  violence 
that  we  brake  her  backe,  and  she  suncke  presently ;  for 
there  where  we  landed,  went  a  breach  of  the  sea,  which  pre- 
sently cast  her  away.  The  boats  comming  after  did  the  like. 
At  our  arriuall,  those  in  the  fort  had  laden  aill  their  ordi- 
nance, being  seuen  pieces  of  brasse,  to  discharge  them  vpon 
vs  at  our  landing ;  which,  indeed,  they  did  :  for  our  admirall 
leaping  into  the  water,  all  the  rest  following  him,  off  came 
these  pieces  of  ordinance ;  but,  almighty  God  be  praised, 
they  in  the  fort,  with  feare  to  see  vs  land  in  their  faces,  had 
piked  their  ordinance  so  steepe  downwards  with  their 
mouths,  that  they  shot  all  their  shot  in  the  sand,  although, 
as  I  sayd  before,  it  was  not  aboue  a  coits  cast  at  the  most 
betweene  the  place  wee  landed  and  the  face  of  the  fort ;  so 
that  they  onely  shot  off  one  of  our  men's  armes  without 
doing  any  more  hurt,  which  was  to  vs  a  great  blessing  of 
God  :  for  if  those  ordinances  had  bene  well  levelled,  a  great 
number  of  vs  had  lost  our  Hues  at  that  instant.  Our 
admirall  seeing  this,  cried  out,  incouraging  his  men.  Upon 
them,  vpon  them ;  all  (by  God's  help)  is  ours  :  and  they 
therewith  ran  to  the  fort  with  all  violence.  Those  foure 
ensigns  of  men  that  were  set  to  defend  our  landing,  seeing 
this  resolution,  begau  to  go  backe,  and  retire  into  certaina 
bushes  that  were  by  the  same  fort ;  and  being  followed, 
tledde  thorowe  a  certaine  oaze  which  was  drie,  being  then 
but  the  beginning  of  the  tide  :  and  so  abandoned  the  fort, 
and  left  it  with  their  ordinance  to  vs.  This  day  of  our 
arriuall    was    their    Good-friday,   when    by    custome    they 


GREAT    STORE    OF    MERCHANDIZES    TAKEN,  43 

vsually  whippe  themselues :  but  God  sent  vs  now  for  a 
generall  scourge  to  them  all,  whereby  that  labour  among  them 
might  be  well  spared.  The  fort  being  taken  with  all  their 
ordinance,  the  admirall  waved  to  the  ships,  willing  them  to 
wey  and  come  in ;  which  they  did  with  all  speed,  himselfe 
taking  order  in  leauiug  certaine  men  in  keeping  the  said  fort, 
and  placed  the  ordinance  toward  the  high  towue,^  from 
whence  he  suspected  the  greatest  danger ;  and  putting  his 
men  in  order,  marched  toward  the  low  towne,^  which  was 
about  foureteeue  score  from  the  fort :  in  which  town  lay  all 
their  merchandize  and  other  goods.  Approaching  to  the 
towne,  he  entered  the  same,  the  people  imbarking  them- 
selues in  carauels  and  boats,  with  all  the  expedition  they 
could.  The  base  towne,  of  aboue  an  hundred  houses,  being 
thus  taken,  we  found  in  it  great  store  of  merchandizes  of  all 
sorts  :  as  Brasil  wood,  sugars,  calico-cloth,  pepper,  cynamon, 
clones,  mase,  nutmegs,  with  diuers  other  good  things,  to 
the  great  comfort  of  vs  all.  The  admirall  went  vp  and  downe 
the  towne,  and  placed  at  the  south  end  of  the  same  Captaine 
Venner  and  his  companion,  himselfe  and  his  company  in  the 
midst  of  the  towne,  and  Captaine  Barker  and  Captaine  Addy 
at  the  other  end  of  the  towne,  giving  great  charge  that  no 
man,  vpon  paine  of  great  punishment  and  losse  of  his 
shares,  should  breake  vp  or  enter  into  any  ware-house  with- 
out order  and  direction  from  the  admirall.  And  this  com- 
mandement  was  as  well  kept  as  euer  any  was  kept,  where  so 
great  spoile  and  booty  was  found  :  for  it  was  not  knowen  in  all 
the  time  of  our  being  there,  that  any  disorder  was  com- 
mitted, or  any  lodge  or  ware-house  broken  open,  or  any 
spoile  was  made,  or  pillaging  of  anything ;  which  is  a  note 
much  to  be  obsei'ved  in  such  an  action ;  for  common  mariners 
and  souldiers  are  much  given  to  pillaging  and  spoiling, 
making  greater  account  of  the  same  than  of  their  shares. 
Order  being  put  in  all  things,  we  kept  a  very  sure  watch 
•  Olinda  2  Recife. 


44  DEALINGS   WITH    THE    HOLLANDERS. 

this  first  nightj  and  the  morning  being  come^  our  admirall 
and  Captaine  Venner,  with  the  rest  of  the  captaines,  went 
about  the  towne,  and  gaue  order  for  the  fortifying  of  it 
with  all  expedition  :  so  that  within  two  dayes  it  was  sur- 
rounded with  posts  and  planks,  all  that  part  of  the  towne 
next  the  maine  land,  at  least  nine  foot  high  ;  for  (God  be 
thanked)  we  found  prouision  in  the  towne,  sufficient  store 
for  it.  Now  it  is  to  be  vuderstood  that  this  towne  is  en- 
uironed  on  the  one  part  by  the  sea,  and  on  the  backside  by 
a  riuer  that  runneth  behinde  it ;  so  that  to  come  to  it  by 
land,  you  must  enter  it  by  a  small  narrow  passage,  not 
aboue  forty  paces  ouer  at  an  high  water.  At  this  passage 
we  built  a  fort,  and  planted  in  it  fine  pieces  of  ordinance, 
which  we  tooke  out  of  the  first  fort  we  wan  at  our  comming 
into  the  harborow.  Now  we  having  the  towne  in  posses- 
sion, our  admirall  sent  for  the  Hollanders  b}'-  his  chyrurgian, 
which  had  been  brought  vp  in  that  countrey,  a  man  know- 
ing their  conditions,  and  sober  and  discreet  of  his  owne 
cariage.  At  his  first  comming  aboord  of  them^  they  seemed 
to  stand  vpon  their  owne  guard  and  defence,  for  they  w^ere 
three  great  and  strong  ships  :  but  he  vsed  himself  so  that 
they  at  the  last  willed  him  to  come  into  the  greatest  of  their 
ships,  which  was  aboue  450  tunnes.  Then  he  declared  to 
them  our  intent  of  comming  thither,  and  that  they  should 
be  there  as  sure  from  any  show  of  violence  or  iniury  offered 
them,  as  if  they  were  in  their  owne  houses,  and  if  they 
should  thinke  so  good,  his  admirall  would  fi-aight  the  for 
England,  if  they  would  be  content  with  fraight  reason- 
able, and  as  they  should  agree,  and  it  should  be  at  their  own 
clioise  whither  to  go  or  not,  he  would  not  force  them,  un- 
less it  was  to  their  benefit  and  good  liking.  Although  this 
people  were  somewhat  stubburne  at  the  firsts  as  that  nation 
is  in  these  causes,  yet  being  satisfied  with  good  words  and 
good  dealing  they  came  aland,  and  after  conference  had 
with  the  admiralls,  they  were  so  satisfied  that  they  went 


ARRIVAL    OP    FRENCH    SHIPS.  45 

thorow  with  a  fraiglit^  and  then  we  ioyed  with  them,  and 
they  with  vs,  and  they  serued  vs  as  truly  and  as  faithfully  as 
our  owne  people  did,  both  at  watch  and  ward,  by  sea  and 
other  services.  Within  two  dayes  after  our  comming  in, 
about  midnight,  a  great  number  of  Portugals  and  Indians 
with  them,  came  dowue  vpon  vs  with  a  very  great  cry  and 
noise  ;  but  God  be  thanked,  we  were  ready  for  them  :  for 
our  admirall  supposing  some  such  assault,  had  prouided  all 
our  muskets  with  haile-shot,  which  did  so  gaule  both  the 
Indians  and  the  Portugalls,  that  they  made  them  presently 
retreat.  And  this  is  to  be  noted  that  there  was  both  the 
horse  and  his  rider  slaine,  both  with  one  of  these  shot.  Our 
men  followed  them  some  hue  or  six  score,  but  no  further. 
We  lost  in  this  conflict  but  onely  one  man,  but  had  diners 
hurt.  What  was  lost  of  their  part  we  could  not  tell,  for 
they  had  before  day,  after  our  retreat,  caried  away  all  their 
dead.  Within  three  or  foure  days  after  our  comming  in, 
appeared  befoi-e  the  harborow  3  ships  and  2  pinnesses,  the 
pinnesses  being  somewhat  nere,  discried  our  flags,  and  one 
of  them  came  in,  which  was  a  French  pinnesse,  declaiming 
all  the  rest  to  be  French  bottoms,  which  our  admirall  willed 
should  come  in  :  and  so  they  did.  These  were  Frenchmen 
of  war,  and  came  thither  for  purchase.  The  captaines  came 
aland^  and  were  welcomed ;  amongst  whom  was  one,  Cap- 
taiue  John  Noyer,  of  Diepe^  that  the  yere  before  had  taken 
in  our  admirall  at  the  Hand  of  Mona,^  in  the  West  Indies, 
Avhere  his  ship  was  cast  away  comming  out  of  the  East 
Indies.  To  this  man  our  admirall  oSered  great  kindnes, 
and  performed  it,  and  was  not  vugratefull  for  his  former 
benefit  shewed  vnto  him.  This  captain  desired  of  our  admirall 
to  bestow  upon  him  his  ships  lading  of  Fernambuc-wood,^ 
which  he  granted  him,  and  also  his  pinnesse,  and  more, 
gaue  him  a  carauel  of  about  50  tuns,  and  bid  him  lade  her 
with  wood  also ;  which  with  other  benefits  he  gratefully 
'  See  page  20.  *  Brazil  wood. 


46  LADING    OF    THE    SHIPS. 

received.  To  the  other  two  captaiues  he  granted  their  lad- 
ings of  wood,  the  one  captaine  being  of  Diepe,  the  other  of 
Rochel.  The  captaine  of  Diepe  confessed  that  he  met 
Abraham  Cocke  certain  moneths  before,  and  being  distressed 
for  want  of  water,  gaue  him  some,  and  went  with  him  to  a 
watering  place  where  he  had  water  enough,  and  so  departed 
fro  him,  saying  that  his  men  were  very  weake.  The  com- 
ming  in  of  these  ships  did  much  strengthen  vs  ;  for  our 
admiral  appointed  both  these  French  and  the  Flemings  to 
keepe  watch  vpon  the  riuer  by  night  with  their  boats,  euery 
boat  having  in  her  12  men  at  the  least,  and  the  boats  well 
prouided.  This  was  for  feare  of  fii*ed  ships  or  barkes  to 
come  downe,  which  our  admirall  had  great  care  vnto,  and 
caused  our  ships  to  ride  by  cables  and  haulsers,  at  all  ad- 
uantages  to  shun  them,  if  by  that  meanes  they  should 
attempt  to  put  vs  out  of  the  harborow  ;  giuing  commande- 
ment  to  vs  that  watched  in  the  towne,  that  what  fires  soeuer 
we  should  espy  or  see,  not  one  man  to  start  from  his  watch 
or  quarter,  vnlesse  we  were  by  himselfe  commanded  to  the 
contrary.  Now  this  order  put  in  all  things,  and  hauing 
viewed  all  the  goods  in  the  towne,  and  thinking  ourselues 
sufficiently  fortified,  we  began  to  vnlade  our  ships,  which 
came  as  full  laden  in  as  they  went  foorth,  but  not  with  so 
good  merchandize.  And  this  order  was  taken  about  the 
vnlading  of  them,  and  also  the  lading  of  goods  out  of  the 
towne ;  our  men  were  diuided  into  halues,  and  the  one  halfe 
wrought  one  day,  and  the  other  halfe  the  other  day  ;  alwayes 
those  that  wrought  not  kept  the  watch  with  their  furniture 
in  their  hands  and  about  them,  and  none  stept  far  off  or 
wandered  from  his  coloui's,  and  those  that  wrought  had  all 
their  weapons  in  good  order  set  and  placed  by  them,  so 
that  at  an  instant  euery  one  knew  where  to  go  to  his  furni- 
ture ;  and  this  was  carefully  looked  vnto. 

The  third  day  after  our  comming  in,  came  down  from  the 
higher  towne,  which  might  be  about  foure  miles  off,  vpon  a 


CAPTAIN    LANCASTER    AND    THE    PORTUGALLS.  47 

liill,  three  or  foure  of  the  priucipall  gentlemen  of  the  coun- 
trey,  and  said  that  from  the  bishop,  themseh^es,  and  the 
rest,  they  would  haue  some  conference  with  our  admirall. 
This  newes  being  brought  to  the  admirall,  he  hung  downe 
his  head  for  a  small  season;  and  when  he  had  muzed  awhile, 
he  answered,  I  must  go  aboord  of  the  Flemings  vpon  busi- 
ues  that  iraporteth  me,  and  therefore  let  them  stay  if  they 
will:  and  so  he  went  and  sate  there  with  the  Flemings  from 
nine  of  the  clocke  till  two  at  the  afternoone.  In  this  space, 
diuers  messengers  went  to  the  admirall,  to  come  away ;  for 
these  gentlemen  stayd.  To  whom  he  gaue  this  answere  : 
Are  they  not  gone  yet  ?  And  about  two  of  the  clocke  he 
came  aland,  and  then  they  tolde  him  they  were  departed. 
Many  of  the  better  sort  of  our  men  maruelled,  and  thought 
much,  because  he  would  not  vouchsafe  to  come  and  haue 
conference  with  such  men  of  account  as  they  seemed  to  be. 
But  the  admiral  made  them  this  answere:  Sirs,  I  haue  bene 
brought  vp  among  this  people  ;  I  haue  liued  among  them 
as  a  gentleman,  serued  with  them  as  a  souldier,  and  liued 
among  them  as  a  merchant,  so  that  I  should  haue  some 
vnderstanding  of  their  demeanors  and  nature ;  and  I  know 
when  they  cannot  preuaile  with  the  sword  by  force,  then 
they  deale  with  their  deceiueable  tongues  ;  for  faith  and 
trueth  they  haue  none,  neither  will  vse  any,  vnlesse  it  be  to 
their  owne  aduantage.  And  this  I  giue  you  warning,  that 
if  you  giue  them  parle,  they  will  betray  vs ;  and  for  my 
part,  of  all  nations  in  the  world,  it  would  grieue  me  most  to 
be  ouertaken  by  this  nation  and  the  Spaniards  :  and  I  am 
glad  it  was  my  fortune  to  pay  them  with  one  of  their  owne 
fetches,  for  I  warrant  you  they  vnderstand  me  better  then 
you  thinke  they  do.  And  with  this  I  pray  you  be  satisfied ; 
I  hope  it  is  all  for  your  goods  :  for  what  shall  we  gaine  by 
parle,  when  (by  the  helpe  of  God)  we  haue  gotten  already 
that  we  came  for,  should  we  venture  that  we  haue  gotte  with 
our  swords,  to  see  if  they  can  take  it  from  vs  by  words  and 


48  CAPTURE    OF    enemy's    TRENCHES. 

policy  ?  tliere  were  no  wisdome  in  so  doing.  You  know 
what  it  hath  cost  us,  and  how  many  men  lie  wounded  that 
be  not  yet  hole  of  this  other  nights  hurts ;  and,  therefore, 
from  henceforth  I  giue  you  this  commission,  that  if  any  be 
taken  he  be  sent  away  with  this  order, — although  he  come 
as  a  friend,  that  if  either  he  or  any  other  approach  vs  from 
henceforth,  he  shall  be  hanged  out  of  hand  :  and  other 
course  than  this  I  will  not  take  with  them.  Which  course 
was  followed,  for  within  3  or  4  dayes  after  it  was  performed 
by  two  taken  in  the  night ;  and  after  that  we  were  neuer 
troubled  with  spies;  and  although  diuei'S  slaues  came  run- 
ning from  their  men  to  vs,  by  which  we  vnderstood  much 
of  their  working  and  pretences,  yet  the  admirall  would  en- 
terteine  few  of  them. 

In  this  meane  time  that  we  beo-an  to  worke,  the  Portugfals 
with  the  country  people  were  not  idle,  for  seeing  vs  so 
busie  about  sixe  nights  after  our  comming  in,  they  priuily 
in  the  night  cast  vp  a  trench  in  the  sands  about  a  sacar 
shot  from  our  ships,  minding  there  to  plant  ordinance, 
which  would  haue  offended  our  ships  greatly;  and  they 
would  not  haue  bene  able  to  haue  rode  there  to  take  in  their 
lading,  which  now  began  to  go  aboord  of  them.  The 
admirall  hearing  this,  about  3  of  the  clocke  in  the  after- 
noone  marshalled  our  men,  and  he  and  all  the  rest  of  the 
captaines  marched  toward  them.  The  Portugals  and 
Indians  perceiuing  our  comming,  began  to  withdraw  them- 
selues  within  the  trench,  meaning  (as  it  should  appeare)  to 
fight  it  out  there  ;  but  we  made  no  stand,  neither  did  it  be- 
houe  vs,  but  presently  approached  the  trenches  with  our 
muskets  and  pikes,  afore  their  trenches  were  thorowly 
finished :  so  that,  by  God's  helpe,  we  entered  the,  and  the 
Portugals  and  Indians  left  the  place,  and  left  vnto  vs  4 
good  peeces  of  brasse  ordinance,  with  powder  and  shot, 
and  diners  other  necessaries,  and  among  the  rest  5  smal 
carts  of  that  countrey,  which  to  us  were  more  worth  than 


FIGHTS    AT    THE    WATERING-PLACE.  ^9 

al  the  rest  we  tooke,  for  the  ladiug  of  our  goods  from  tlie 
towne  to  the  waterside  :  for  without  them  we  could  not 
have  told  what  to  haue  done^  much  of  our  goods  being  so 
heauie,  that  without  carts  we  were  not  able  to  weyld  them : 
all  these  things  we  brought  away  and  destroyed  at  those 
platforms  that  they  had  made,  and  then  we  had  rest  with 
them  for  certaine  dayes,  in  which  we  went  forward,  deuid- 
ing  our  marchandize  with  Captaine  Yenner,  according  to 
our  consort,  and  went  daily  lading  them  aboord,  euery  ships 
company  according  as  their  turnes  fell  out,  but  only  the 
three  Dutch  ships,  for  the  goods  being  put  into  their  boats 
their  owne  companies  laded  themselues.  And  this  farther 
good  chance  or  blessing  of  God  we  had  to  helpe  vs,  that 
assoone  as  we  had  taken  our  cartes,  the  next  morning  came 
in  a  ship  with  some  60  negros,  10  Portugall  women,  and  40 
Portugals :  the  women  and  the  negros  we  turned  out  of  the 
towne,  but  the  Portugals  our  admiral  kept  to  draw  the  carts 
when  they  were  laden,  which  to  vs  was  a  very  great  ease. 
For  the  countrey  is  very  hote  and  ill  for  nation  to  take  any 
great  trauell  in. 

In  this  towne  there  is  no  fresh  water  to  be  had,  and, 
therefore,  we  were  euery  5  or  6  dayes  compelled  to  passe 
ouer  the  riuer  into  the  maine  land  to  g"et  fresh  water,  which, 
after  the  first  or  second  time,  the  Portugals  kept  and  would 
haue  defended  our  watering,  so  that  we  were  driuen  to 
water  of  force,  and  at  seuerall  times  some  of  our  men  were 
hurt,  and  onely  two  or  three  slaine,  and  with  this  danger 
we  were  forced  to  get  our  water. 

And  as  they  molested  vs  in  our  watering,  so  they  slept 
not  in  other  deuises,  but  put  in  practise  to  burne  our  ships 
or  remoue  them  out  of  the  harbour.  For  within  some  20 
dayes  after  our  comming  in,  they  had  prepared  5  carauels, 
and  filled  them  with  such  things  as  would  best  take  fire  and 
burne :  these  they  brought  within  a  mile  or  little  more  of 
our  ships,  and  there  set  them  on  fire,  for  neei^er  they  could 

E 


50  FIRE    SHIPS. 

not  well  come  because  of  our  watch  of  boates,  for^  as  is 
aboue  said,  the  admirall  had  alwaies  6  boates  that  kept 
watch  aboue  halfe  a  mile  from  the  ships  for  feare  of  such 
exployies  as  these,  which  was  the  cause  they  could  not  fii*e 
them  so  neere  the  ships  as  they  would  have  done.  But 
these  fired  carauels  had  the  tide  with  them,  and  also  the 
little  winde  that  blewe  was  in  their  fauovr,  which  caused 
them  to  come  downe  the  streame  the  faster ;  which  our 
boats  perceiuing  made  to  them  with  as  much  expedition  as 
conueniently  they  could,  but  the  tide  and  wind  both  seruing 
them,  they  approched  toward  the  ships  with  great  expedi- 
tion. Our  men  in  the  towne  began  to  be  in  some  feare  of 
them,  yet  no  man  mooued  or  started  fro  his  quarter  more 
than  if  there  had  bene  nothing  to  doe.  Also  the  masters, 
and  such  as  were  aboord,  were  somewhat  amased  to  see  5 
great  fires  to  be  comming  downe  among  their  ships,  but 
they  prepared  for  to  cleere  them  of  it,  as  well  as  they  could, 
being  prouided  afore  hande  and  iudging  that  some  such 
stratagems  would  be  there  vsed,  the  riuer  being  very  fit 
therefore.  But  (God  be  thanked)  who  was  alwaies  with  vs 
and  our  best  defence  in  this  voyage,  by  whose  assistance  we 
performed  this  so  great  an  attempt  with  so  small  forces, 
our  companie  in  the  boats  so  played  the  men  when  they  saw 
the  fires  come  neere  our  ships,  that  casting  grapnels  with 
yron  chaines  on  them,  as  euery  boat  had  one  for  that  pur- 
pose, some  they  towed  aground,  and  some  they  brought  to 
a  bitter  or  anker,  where  they  rode  till  all  their  force  was 
burned  out,  and  so  we  were  deliuered,  by  Gods  helpe,  from 
this  fearefuU  danger.  Within  some  6  nights  after  this, 
which  might  be  about  the  26  day  after  our  comming  in  and 
abode  there,  about  11  of  the  clocke  at  night,  came  driuing 
downe  other  3  great  raftes  burning  with  the  hugest  fires  that 
I  haue  seene.  These  were  exceeding  dangerous,  for  when 
our  men  approched  the,  thinking  to  clap  their  grapnels  vpon 
them,  as  they  had  done  vpon  the  carauels  the  night  before, 


FIRE    SHIPS.  51 

they  were  preuented  :  for  there  stooke  out  of  the  rafts 
many  poles  which  kept  them  from  the  body  of  the  rafts, 
that  they  could  not  come  to  throw  their  grapnels  into  the  : 
and  yet  they  had  this  inconueuience  worse  then  al  the  rest 
which  most  troubled  vs.  There  stooke  out  among  the  poles 
certaiue  hollow  trunks  filled  with  such  prouision  of  fire- 
workes  that  they  ceased  not  still  (as  the  fire  came  downe  to 
those  trunks  to  set  the  on  fire)  to  spout  out  such  sparkles, 
that  our  boats  hauing  powder  in  them  for  our  mens  vse, 
durst  not  for  feare  of  frying  theselues  with  their  owne  powder 
come  neerer  those  sparkles  of  the  raftes,  but  seeing  them  to 
driue  neerer  and  neerer  our  ships,  they  wet  certaine  clothes 
and  laid  vpon  their  flaskes  and  bandelers  and  so  ventured 
vpon  them,  and  with  their  grapnels  tooke  holde  of  them, 
and  so  towed  them  on  ground,  where  they  stooke  fast  and 
were  not  burnt  out  the  next  day  in  the  morning.  Diuerse 
logs  and  timbers  came  driuing  along  by  our  ships,  and  burn- 
ing, but  with  our  boats  we  easily  defended  them.  And 
thus  (God  be  praised)  we  escaped  the  second  fires.  A  third 
firing  was  prepared,  as  a  Negro  gave  vs  to  vnderstand,  but 
this  we  preuented  by  our  departure.  For  this  third  firing 
were  very  great  preparations :  and  we  were  credibly  informed 
of  certainetie,  that  this  firing  should  be  such  as  we  should 
neuer  be  able  to  preuent,  and  assuredly  these  fires  be  dan- 
gerous things,  and  not  to  be  prevented  vpon  a  sudden,  vnlesse 
it  be  afore  prepared  for  and  foreseene.  For  when  it  commeth 
vpon  the  sudden  and  vnlooked  for,  and  unprouided  for,  it 
brinCTeth  men  into  a  c^reat  amazement  and  at  their  wits  end. 
And,  therefore,  let  all  men  riding  in  riuers  in  their  enemies 
countrey  be  sure  to  looke  to  be  prouided  before  hand,  for 
against  fire  there  is  no  resistance  without  preparation. 

Also  it  is  a  practise  in  these  hot  countreys,  where  there 
be  such  expei't  swimmers,  to  cut  the  cables  of  ships  :  and 
one  night  it  was  practised  to  cut  the  admirals  cable,  and 
yet  the  boate  rode  by  the  cable  with   two  men  in  her  to 

e2 


52  ,  AN    IMPRUDENT    ATTACK 

watch  all  the  Bight,  and  the  buoy  onel^^  was  cut,  but  not  the 
cable:  but  after  that  night,  seeing  then  our  good  watch, 
they  neuer  after  attempted  it. 

While  all  these  things  passed,  our  ships  (God  be  thanked) 
thorow  the  industry  of  our  gouernours,  and  diligent  labour 
of  our  men,  began  to  be  wholly  laden,  and  all  the  best  mar- 
chandize  conueyed  aboord  our  ships,  so  that  our  admirall 
ment  to  depart  that  night,  which  was  the  31  day  after  our 
entrance,  or  else  on  the  next  day  at  the  farthest,  and  so 
warning  was  giuen  to  all  men  to  make  themselves  readie. 
Our  admiral  being  aboord  his  ship  y®  same  morning,  espyed 
in  the  sands  right  against  the  place  where  the  ships  rode, 
that  there  was  a  small  bank  of  sand  newly  cast  vp,  vnder 
which  he  perceiued  how  and  then  some  people  to  be :  pre- 
sently he  tooke  his  boat  and  went  to  the  towne,  and  called 
the  captaines  together,  declaring  that  the  enemies  were 
about  some  pretence  right  against  the  ships,  consulting 
whether  it  were  best  to  sally  out  and  see  what  they  were 
doing,  or  depart  that  euening  according  to  the  former  de- 
termination. The  admirall  was  of  opinion  to  depart  that 
night,  saying  it  was  but  folly  to  seeke  warres,  since  we  had 
no  neede  to  doe  it :  other  affirmed,  it  were  good  to  see  what 
they  did,  least  the  winde  might  be  contrarie  and  the  ships 
not  got  out,  and  so  our  enemies  may  build  vpon  vs  to  our 
great  disaduantage.  'Well,^  said  the  admiral,  'the  matter  is 
not  great,  for  there  can  be  no  danger  in  this  sally;  for  where 
they  worke  it  is  within  falkon-shot  of  the  ships,  and  if  any 
power  should  come  against  you,  the  ships  may  play  vpon 
them  with  40  peeces  of  ordinance  at  the  least,  so  that  a  bird 
cannot  passe  there  but  she  must  be  slaine.  I  am  somewhat 
vnwilling  you  should  go ;  for  I  haue  not  bene  well  these 
two  dayes,  and  I  am  not  strong  to  march  vpon  these  heauie 
sands:'  they  answered  all  at  once,  'you  shall  not  neede  to 
trouble  your  selfe  for  this  seruice,  for  you  see  it  is  nothing- 
and  of  no  danger,  being  so  noere  the  ships,  doubt  yon  not 


UPON    THE    PORTUGUESE    WORKS.  53 

we  will  accomplish  this  seruice  well  ynough,  and  return e 
againe  withia  this  houre.'  The  admirall  answered :  '  the 
danger  canuot  be  great,  but  yet  you  shall  go  out  strong,  for 
feare  of  the  worst/  And  so  the  admirall  marshalled  them, 
275  men,  Freuch  and  English,  which  were  vnder  the  con- 
duct of  Edmund  Barker,  Captaine  Barker  of  PHmmouth, 
Viceadmirall  to  Captaiue  Venner,  Captaine  Addy,  and  the 
three  French  captaines,  all  going  out  together,  and  they 
were  to  march  vpon  a  narrow  peece  of  ground  to  the  place 
whether  they  were  sent  vnto  :  in  the  brodest  place  betwixt 
the  sea  and  the  water  on  the  other  side,  it  is  not  aboue  a 
stone  cast,  for  it  is  a  bank  of  sand  lying  betweene  the  riuer 
and  the  sea,  so  they  needed  not  to  feare  any  comming  on 
their  backs  or  on  their  sides,  and  before  them  could  no  man 
come,  but  he  must  passe  by  all  the  ships  which  no  company 
of  men  were  able  to  do  without  pi'esent  death.  The  admirall 
commanded  them  at  their  departure  to  go  no  further  then 
the  place  he  sent  them  to,  and  so  he  himselfe  went  aboord 
the  ships  and  made  readie  all  the  ordinance  for  feare  of  the 
worst,  not  knowing  what  might  insiie,  although  he  saw  no 
danger  might  follow.  Thus  we  marched  quietly  till  we 
came  to  the  place  we  were  sent  vnto,  being  right  ouer 
against  the  ships:  out  of  which  place  came  some  dozen  shot, 
Avhich  seeing  vs  come,  discharged  and  ran  their  wayes  with 
such  as  were  working  within  the  said  platforme.  So  that 
we  came  into  it  and  perceiued  they  had  begunne  to  lay 
plankes  to  plant  ordinance  vpon.  Our  admirall  commanded, 
if  there  were  any  such  thing,  to  burne  the  plankes  and  re- 
turne  in  againe,  which  we  might  have  done  without  hurting 
of  any  man's  finger :  but  our  leaders  were  not  content  to 
haue  performed  the  seruice  committed  them  in  charge,  but 
would  needes  expresly  and  against  their  order  mai'ch  on 
further  to  fight  with  certaine  ensignes  almost  a  mile  off, 
cleane  out  of  the  reach  of  the  ordinance  of  all  our  shipsj  and 
where  lay  the  strength  of  the  whole  countrey.     When  our 


54  DEPARTURE    OF    THE    SHIPS. 

men  began  to  draw  neere  those  ensigns  of  men^  the  ensignes 
seemed  to  retire  with  great  speed,  which  our  men  followed 
with  such  great  hast,  that  some  outrunning  other  some, 
our  order  was  broken,  and  those  ensignes  retyred  theselues 
into  the  force  of  the  whole  countrey,  so  that  our  formost 
men  were  in  the  midst  of  their  enemies  yer  they  were  aware, 
which  were  slaine  yer  the  rest  could  come  to  succour  them. 
The  enemies,  incouraged  by  this,  came  also  vpon  the  rest, 
which  presently  began  to  retire,  and  the  enemies  followed 
them  til  they  came  within  the  reach  of  the  ordinance  of  our 
ships,  where  they  were  beaten  off  and  left  their  pursuit.  In 
this  conflict  were  slaine  Captain  Barker",  captaine  of  the 
Salomon  ;  Captaine  Cotton,  y''  admiral's  Lieutenant ;  Cap- 
taine John  Noyer,  a  French  captaine  of  Diepe,  and  another 
French  captaine  of  Rochel,  with  M.  John  Barker  and  other, 
to  the  number  of  35  :  for  these  were  the  foremost  and  hot- 
test in  the  pursuit  of  the  ensignes  aforesaid,  and  by  their 
forwardnes  came  all  to  perish.  At  our  returne  into  the 
towne  the  admiral  came  to  vs  much  bewayling  the  death  of 
so  many  good  men  as  were  lost,  wondering  what  we  ment 
to  passe  the  exprese  order  that  was  giuen  vs.  With  this 
losse  our  men  were  much  danted,  but  our  admirall  began 
againe  to  encourage  them,  declaring  that  the  fortune  of 
the  warres  was  sometimes  to  win  and  sometimes  to  loose. 
And  therewithal!  he  wished  euery  man  to  prepare  and  make 
himselfe  readie :  for  that  night  (God  willing)  he  would  de- 
part. For  all  our  ships  were  readie  and  laden,  and  he  would 
not  stay  any  further  fortune.  The  euening  being  come,  the 
ships  began  to  wey  and  go  forth  of  the  harbour,  and  God 
be  thanked  of  his  goodnesse  toward  vs  who  sent  vs  a  faire 
wind  to  go  foorth  withall,  so  that  by  1 1  of  the  clocke  in  the 
night,  we  were  all  forth  in  safety.  The  enemies  perceiuing 
our  departing,  planted  a  peece  or  two  of  ordinance,  and 
shot  at  vs  in  the  night,  but  did  vs  no  harme.'  We  were  at 
our  comming  foorth  15  sailos,  that  is,  3  sailes  of  Hollanders, 


RESULTS    OF    THE    ENTERPRISE.  55 

the  one  of  450   tunnes,  the   other  of  350  tunnes,  and  the 
third  of  300  tuuues,  foure  sailcs  of  French  and  one  shij) 
which   the  admiral   gave   the   French  captaine,  3  sailes  of 
Captain  Venner's  fleet  of  Plinimouth,  and  4  sailes  of  our 
admiral's  fleete,  all  these  were    laden  with  marchandizes, 
and  that  of  good  worth.     We   stayed   in   this   harbour   to 
passe  all  this  businesse  but  onely  31  dayes,  and  in  this  time 
we  were    occupied  Avith   skirmishes    and    attempts   of  the 
enemie  11  times;  in  all  which  skirmishing  we  had  the  better, 
only  this  last  excepted.     To  God  be  the  honour  and  praise 
of  all,  &c.     The  whole  fleete  being  out  in  safety,  the  next 
day  in  the  morning  the  admirall  gave  order  to  the  whole 
fleete  to  saile  toward  Pei'aniew,  a  harbour  lying  some  40 
leagues  to  the  northward  of  Fernambucke,   and    there   to 
take  in  fresh  water  and  to  refresh  themselues :  and  to  make 
prouision  for  refreshing,  our  admirall  had  sent  thither  some 
6  dales  before  two  Frenchmen  in  a  smal  pinnesse,  which 
Frenchmen  he  had  prouided  from  Diepe  before  his  comming 
out  of  England  for  that  purpose.    For  both  these  two  spake 
the  Indian's  language  very  perfectly  :    for  at   this  port  of 
Peraniew  and  another  called  Potaju,  some  6  leagues  to  the 
northward,  the  Frenchmen  haue  had  trade  for  brasil-wood, 
and  haue  laden  from  thence  by  the  Indians'  meanes,  who 
have  fet  it  for  them  some  20  leagues  into  the  country  vpon 
their  backs,  3  or  4  ships  euery  yere.     Thus  we  all  sailed  to- 
ward Peraniew,  at  which  place  we  arriued  in  the  night,  so 
that  we  were  forced  to  lie  off  and  on  with  a  stiffe  gale  of 
wind,  in  which  we  lost  the  most  part  of  our  fleete,  and  they 
not   knowing  this   coast  put   off  to   the  sea,  and  so  went 
directly  for  England.     Our  admirall  and  some  4  saile  more 
with  him   put  into   the  harborow  of  Peraniew,   and  there 
watered  and  refreshed  himselfe  very  well,  with  hens,  conies, 
hares,  and  potatos,  with  other  things,  which  the  two  French- 
men had  partly  prouided  before  his  comming  :  this  is  a  very 
good  harborow,  where  ships  may  ride  and  refresh  very  well. 


56  SAFE    RETURN    TO    BLACKWALL. 

But,  as  I  am  giuen  to  vnderstand  since  our  comming  from 
thence,  the  Portugals  haue  attempted  the  place  and  doe  in- 
habite  it,  and  haue  put  the  French  from  their  accustomed 
trade.     Here  hauing  watered  and  refreshed  our  selues,  we 
put  to  the  sea,  plying  after  the  rest  of  our  fleete  which  were 
gone  before,  which  we  neuer  heard  of  till  our  arriuall  in 
England  at  the  Downes  in  the  moneth  of  July,  where  we 
vnderstood  the  rest  of  our  consorts  to  be  passed  vp  for 
London,  Captaine  Venner  and  his  fleete  to  be  at  Plimraouth, 
and  the  French  ships  to  be  safe  arriued  at  Diepe,  which  to 
vs  was  very  great  comfort.     At  our  setting  sayle  from  the 
Downes,  according  as  the  custorae  is,  finding  the  Queene's 
ships  there  we  saluted  them  with  certaine  ordinance.     The 
gunner  being    cai-lesse,  as   they  are  many  times   of  their 
powder,  in  discharging  certaine  pieces  in  y^  gunner  roome, 
set  a  barrel  of  powder  on  fire,  which  tooke  fire  in  y®  gunner 
roome,  blew  vp  the  admiral's  caben,  slew  the  gunner  with 
2  others  outright,  and  hurt  20  more,  of  which  4  or  5  died. 
This  powder  made  such  a  smoke  in  the  ship  with  the  fire 
that  burnt  in  the  gunner  roome  among  all  the  fire  workes, 
that  no  man  at  the  first  svist  what  to  doe  :  but  recalling 
back  their  feare  they  began  to  cast  water  into  the  gunner 
roome  in  such  abundance  (for  the  Queene's  ships  now  and 
and  also  the  other  ships  that  were  in  our  company  came 
presently  to  our  helpe)  that  (God  be  praised)  we  put  out  the 
fire  and  saued  all,  and  no  great  harme  was  done  to  the 
goods.     By  this  may  be  scene  that  there  is  no  sure  safety 
of  things  in  this  world.     For  now  we  made  account  to  be 
out  of  all   danger,  where  behold  a  gi^eater  came  upon  vs 
than  we  sufi'ered  all  the  whole  voyage.     But  the  Almightie 
be  praysed  for  ever,  which  deliuered  vs  out  of  this  and  many 
other  in  this  voyage.     Our  fire  being  well  put  out,  and  we 
taking  in  fresh  men  (God  be  praysed),  we  came  to  Blacke- 
wall  in  safety. 


THE  FIRST  VOYAGE  MADE  TO  EAST  INDIA 

BY 

MASTEE    JAMES    LANCASTER 

(sow  knight), 

FOR   THE   MERCHANTS    OF   LONDON,  ANNO  1600, 

WITH  FOURE  TALL  SHIPS^   (tO  WIT)  THE  HECTOR^  THE  ASCENSION, 
AND  SUSAN,  AND  A  VICTUALLER  CALLED  THE  GUEST. 


§    I- 

The  preparation  to  this  Voyage,  and  what  befell  them  in  the  -way  till 
they  departed  from  Saldania. 

The  merchants  of  London,  in  the  yeai-e  of  our  Lord  1600, 
ioyned  together  and  made  a  stocke  of  seventie-two  thousand 
pounds,  to  bee  imployed  in  ships  and  merchantdizes,  for 
the  discovery  of  a  trade  in  the  East  India,  to  bring  into  this 
realme  spices  and  other  commodities.  They  bought  foure 
great  ships  to  be  imployed  in  this  voyage  :  the  Dragon,  of 
the  bui"then  of  six  hundred  tunne ;  the  Hector,  of  the 
burthen  of  three  hundred  tunnes  ;  the  Ascention,  of  the 
burthen  of  two  hundred  and  three  score  tunnes.  These 
ships  they  furnished  with  men,  victuals,  and  munition  for 
twentie  monethes,  and  sent  in  them,  in  merchandise  and 
Spanish  money,  to  the  value  of  seven  and  twentie  thousand 
pounds  :  all  the  rest  of  their  stocke  was  spent  and  consumed 
about  the  shippes  and  other  necessaries  appertayning  to 
them,  with  money  lent  to  the  manners  and  sajders  before- 
hand that  went  upon  the  voyage. 

The  merchants  were   suters  to  her   Maiestie,  who  gave 
them  her  friendly  letters  of  commendation,  written  to  divers 


58  THE    FLEET    IN    THE    DOWNS. 

princes  of  India^  offering  to  enter  into  a  league  of  peace 
and  amitie  with  thenij  the  copies  of  which  letters  shall  here- 
after appeare  in  their  places.  And  because  no  great  action 
can  be  well  carryed  and  accomplished  without  an  absolute 
authoritie  of  justice,  shee  granted  to  the  generall  of  their 
fleet,  Master  James  Lancaster,  for  his  better  command  and 
gouvernment,  a  commission  of  raartiall  law. 

The  said  Master  James  Lancaster  the  generall  was  placed 
in  the  Dragon,  the  greatest  shippe,  being  admirall ;  Master 
John  Middleton  captaine  in  the  Hector,  the  vice-admirall ; 
Master  William  Brand  chiefe  gouvernour  in  the  Ascention  ; 
and  Master  John  Heyward  in  the  Susan  ;  and  more  in  every 
of  the  said  ships  ;  three  merchants  to  succeed  one  the  other, 
if  any  of  them  should  be  taken  away  by  death. 

These Vships  were  readie  and  departed  from  WolvTiich 
in  the  Eiver  of  Thames,  the  thirteenth  of  February  after 
the  English  accompt,  1600,  with  foure  hundred  and  foure- 
score  men  in  them  :  In  the  Dragon,  two  hundred  and  two 
men  ;  in  the  Hector,  an  hundred  and  eight ;  in  the  Ascen- 
tion, fourescore  and  two  :  and  in  the  Susan,  fourescore  and 
eight.  The  Guest,  a  ship  of  a  hundred  and  thirtie  tunnes, 
was  added  as  a  victualler.  These  ships  stayed  so  long  in 
the  River  of  Thames,  and  in  the  Downes  for  want  of  wind,^ 

1  The  following  letter  from  Captain  Lancaster,  written  at  the  Downs 
before  reaching  Plymouth,  is  preserved  in  the  British  Museum  {Add. 
MSS.,  1873,  fol.  63). 

"  Mr.  Skynner,  my  very  hartye  commendatyons,  etc.  I  dyd,  iu  my 
hxst  letter  I  rote  you,  make  acompt  not  to  haue  trobled  you  this  yere  or 
too,  but  the  contrraye  winds  haith  so  sterd  me  vppon  this  cost  of  Eng- 
lande,  that  I  cannot  prosede  vppon  this  Est  Indea  vyage  w'''  I  have 
vndertaken,  as  yt,  but  here  abyde  attendant  at  Gods  plesure,  to  prosede 
when  wynde  &  wether  shall  permyt,  w<=i»  vyage  God  graunt  maye  be  to 
his  glorye,  &  the  benefyt  of  ou'  countre  and  common  welth.  S"",  accord- 
inge  to  yo''  accostomed  order,  I  praye  you  pase  to  the  brynger  hereof, 
Mr.  John  or  Mr.  Josefe  Jacson,  yo''  warraunt  for  the  twelfe  pounds 
tenne  shillings,  dwe  to  me  out  of  her  Majcstyes  excheker  at  our  Eadye 
Daye  last  past ;  for  ether  of  thes  ii  men  haue  poure  by  a  letter  of  atorney 


VOYAGE  TO  GRAN  CANARIA.  59 

that  it  was  Easter-day  before  they  arrived  at  Dartmouth, 
where  the}'  spent  five  or  sixe  dayes  iu  taking  in  their  bread 
and  certaine  other  provisions  appointed  for  them.  From 
thence  they  departed  the  eighteenth  of  April  1601,  and 
road  in  Tor  Bay  till  the  twentieth  in  the  morning.  While 
wee  roade  there,  the  generall  sent  aboord  all  the  shippes 
instructions  for  their  better  company  keeping,  at  their 
comming  to  the  seas ;  and  further  gave  directions,  if  any  of 
the  fleet  should  bee  separated  the  one  from  the  other  by 
stormes  of  wind^  tempests,  or  other  casualties,  what  places^ 
to  repair  unto  for  their  meeting  together  again.  The  second 
of  Aprill,  1601,  the  wind  came  faire  and  we  hoysed  our 
anchors,  and  departed  out  of  Tor  Bay^  directing  our  course 
towards  the  Hands  of  Cauaria.  The  wind  holding  faire,  the 
fift  of  May  in  the  morning  we  had  a  sight  of  Alegrauza,  the 
northermost  iland  of  the  Canarias,  and  directed  our  course 
betweene  Forteventura  and  the  Grand  Canaria  ;  and  com- 
ing to  the  south  part  of  the  Grand  Canaria,  thinking  to 
water  there,  wee  fell  into  the  cahnes,  which  proceed  by 
reason  of  the  high-land  that  lyeth  so  neere  the  sea-side. 

The  seventh  of  May,  about  three  of  the  clocke  in  the 
afteruoone,  we   departed   from   the  Gi^and  Canaria,  having 

from  me,  for  the  resete  of  soche  rentes  and  dettes  as  are  dwe  to  me  iu 
my  absence. 

Thus  hopinge,  accordinge  to  yo"'  acostomed  kyndnese  you  will  acom- 
plysh  my  request  herein,  I  compt  you  to  the  j)rotectyone  of  the  all- 
myghttye,  who  sende  you  his  blessiuge  :  and  me  his  grase  to  serue  him 
in  this  my  pretended  vyage.  Ffroni  the  Dowens,  abord  the  Red  Dragon, 
this  fyrst  Apryell,  1601." 

Yo>"  worshipes  to  , 

"vse  James  Lancaster." 
"  To  the  worshipfull  Mr. 

Skynner,  of  her  Magestyes 

Excheker  dd'  this — " 
'  These  places  were  the  Cahnes  of  Canarie,  and  if  weakness  permitted 
not   to    double   the  Cape,   Saldauia,   the  third   Cape  Saint  Roman  in 
Madagasgar,  to  Cirne,  and  so  to  Sumatra,  their  first  place  of  trade. 
May  the  fift. 


60  CAPTURE  OF  A  PORTUGALL  SHIP. 

the  wind  at  north-east,  and  we  directed  our  course  south- 
west by  south  and  south  south-west  till  we  came  into 
21 1  degrees.  From  the  eleventh  to  the  twentieth,  our 
course  was  for  the  most  part  south,  till  we  came  into  eight 
degrees,  the  wind  being  alwayes  northerly  and  north-east. 
In  this  height  we  found  the  calmes  and  contrarie  winds, 
which  upon  this  coast  of  Ginney,  at  this  time  of  the  yeare, 
are  very  familiar  with  many  sudden  gustes  of  wind,  stormes, 
thunder  and  lightening,  very  fearefull  to  be  scene  and 
dangerous  to  the  shippes,  unless  a  diligent  care  be  had  that 
all  sayles  be  stricken  downe  upon  the  sudden,  perceiving 
the  ayre  never  so  little  to  change  or  alter.  And  yet  many 
times,  although  the  masters  of  ships  were  carefull,  and 
looked  unto  it  with  great  diligence,  the  suddennesse  was 
such  that  it  could  hardly  be  prevented.  From  the  twentieth 
of  May  till  the  one  and  twentieth  of  June  wee  lay  the  most 
part  becalmed,  and  with  contrarie  winds  at  south ;  and 
turning  up  and  downe  with  this  contrary  wind,  with  much 
adoe  we  got  into  two  degrees  of  the  north  side  of  the  line, 
where  wee  espyed  a  ship,  to  the  which  the  generall  gave 
chase,  commanding  all  the  rest  of  the  ships  to  follow  him, 
and  by  two  of  the  ciocke  in  the  afternoone,  we  had  set  her 
up  and  tooke  her.  She  was  of  the  citie  of  Viana  in  Portu- 
gall,  and  came  from  Lisbone  in  the  companie  of  two 
carrackes  and  three  gallious  bound  for  the  East  India,  which 
ships  she  had  lost  at  sea.  The  three  gallious  were  ships  of 
warre,  and  went  to  keep  the  coast  of  the  East  India  from 
being  traded  with  other  nations. 

We  tooke  out  of  her  an  hundred  sixe  and  fortie  buts  of 
wine,  an  hundred  threescore  and  sixteene  jarres  of  oyle, 
twelve  barrels  of  oyle,  and  five  and  fiftie  hogsheads  and  fats 
of  meale,  which  was  a  great  help  to  us  in  the  whole  voyage 
after.  The  generall  divided  these  victualls  indifferently  to 
all  the  ships,  to  every  one  his  proportion  withoiit  partialitie. 

The  last  of  June,  about  midnight,  we  doubled  the  Line, 


SICKNESS    IN    THE    SHIPS,  Gl 

and  lost  siglit  of  the  north  star,  having  the  wind  at  south- 
east, and  we  held  our  course  south  south-west,  and  doubled 
the  Cape  of  Saint  Augustine  some  sixe  and  twentie  leagues 
to  the  eastwards.  The  twentieth  of  July  we  were  shot  into 
nineteen  degrees,  fortie  minutes  to  the  southward  of  the 
Line,  the  wind  inlarging  daily  to  the  eastward.  Here 
wee  discharged  the  Guest,  the  ship  that  went  along 
with  us  to  carry  the  provisions  that  our  foure  ships  could  not 
take  in  in  England.  After  we  had  discharged  her,  we  took 
her  masts,  sayles  and  yards,  and  broke  downe  her  higher 
buildings  for  tire-wood,  and  so  left  her  floting  in  the  sea, 
and  followed  our  course  to  the  southward.  The  foure  and 
twentieth  of  July  we  passed  the  tropic  of  Capricorne,  the 
vand  being  north-east  by  north,  we  holding  our  coui'se  east 
south-east.  Now,  by  reason  of  our  long  being  under  the 
Line  (which  proceeded  of  our  late  comming  out  of  England, 
for  the  time  of  the  yeare  was  too  farre  spent  by  six  or  seven 
weekes  to  make  a  quicke  navigation)  many  of  our  men  fell 
sicke.  Therefore,  the  nine  and  twentieth  of  July,  being  in 
28^  degrees,  hee  wrote  a  remembrance  to  the  gouernour  of 
each  ship,  either  to  fetch  Saldania  or  Saint  Helena  for 
refreshing. 

Thus  following  on  our  course,  the  first  of  August  we  came 
into  the  height  of  thirtie  degrees  south  of  the  line,  at  which 
time  we  met  the  south-west  wind,  to  the  great  comfort  of 
all  our  people.  For,  by  this  time,  very  many  of  our  men 
were  fallen  sicke  of  the  scurvy  in  all  our  ships,  and  unless 
it  were  in  the  generaPs  ship  only,  the  other  three  were  so 
weake  of  men  that  they  could  hardly  handle  the  sayles. 
This  wind  held  faire  till  wee  came  within  two  hundred  and 
fiftie  leagues  of  the  Cape  Buena  Esperanza,  and  then  came 
cleane  contrarie  against  us  to  the  east,  and  so  held  some 
fifteene  or  sixteene  dayes,  to  the  great  discomfort  of  our 
men.  For  now  the  few  whole  men  we  had  beganue  also  to 
fall  sicke,  so  that  our  weaknesse  of  men  was  so  great  that 


62  ARRIVE    AT    SALDANHA    BAY. 

in  some  of  the  ships  the  merchants  took  their  turnes  at  the 
helme,  and  went  into  the  top  to  take  in  the  top  sayles,  as 
the  common  mariners  did.  But  God  (who  sheweth  mercy 
in  all  distresses)  sent  vS  a  faire  wind  againe,  so  that  the 
ninth  of  September  wee  came  to  Saldania^^  where  the 
generall  before  the  rest  bare  in,  and  came  to  an  anchor,  and 
hoysed  out  his  boats  to  helpe  the  reste  of  the  ships.  For 
now  the  state  of  the  other  three  was  such  that  they  were 
hardly  able  to  let  fall  an  anchor,  to  save  themselves  withall. 
The  generall  went  aboord  of  them,  and  carried  store  of  men, 
and  hoysed  out  their  boats  for  them,  which  they  were  not 
able  to  doe  of  themselves.  And  the  reason  why  the  gene- 
rals men  stood  better  in  health  than  the  men  of  other  ships 
was  this :  he  brought  to  sea  with  him  certaine  bottles  of 
the  juice  of  limons,  which  he  gave  to  each  one  as  long  as  it 
would  last,  three  spoonfuls  every  morning  fasting,  not  suf- 
fering them  to  eate  anything  after  it  till  noone.  This  juice 
worketh  much  the  better  if  the  partie  keepe  a  short  dyet, 
and  wholly  refraine  salt  meat,  which  salt  meat  and  long 
being  at  the  sea  is  the  only  cause  of  the  breeding  of  this 
disease.  By  this  meanes  the  generall  cured  many  of  his 
men,  and  preserved  the  rest,  so  that  in  his  ship  (having  the 
double  of  men  that  was  in  the  rest  of  the  ships)  he  had  not 
so  many  sicke,  nor  lost  so  many  men  as  they  did,  which  was 
the  mercie  of  God  to  vs  all.  After  the  generall  had  holpen 
the  rest  of  the  ships  to  hoys  out  their  boats  they  began  all 
to  be  greatly  comforted.  Then  he  himselfe  went  presently 
a-land  to  seeke  some  refreshing  for  our  sicke  and  weake 
men,  where  hee  met  with  certaine  of  the  countrey  people, 
and  gave  them  diners  trifles,  as  knives  and  peeces  of  old  iron 

>  See  page  3  («.).  The  Saldanha  Bay  of  modern  geographers  is  a 
misnomer.  The  Saldanha  Bay  of  De  Barros  and  the  early  English  and 
Dutch  Navigators,  is  our  Table  Bay.  Sir  Henry  Middletoii's  fleet  also 
put  in  here  in  1604.  (See  note  by  Mr.  Bolton  Corney  at  page  7  of  the 
Voyage  of  Sir  H.  Middleton.) 


REFRESHMENT    AT    SALDANHA    BAY.  63 

and  such  like^  and  made  signes  to  them  to  bring  him  downe 
sliocpe  and  oxen.  For  he  spake  to  them  iu  the  cattels 
language,  which  was  never  changed  at  the  confusion  of 
Babell,  which  was  "moath^^  for  oxen  and  kine,  and  "baa"  for 
sheepe,  which  language .  the  people  vnderstood  very  well 
without  any  interpreter.  After  he  had  sent  the  people 
away  very  well  contented  with  their  presents,  and  kind 
vsage,  order  was  presently  given  that  certaine  of  every  ships 
companie  should  bring  their  sayles  a-landj  and  build  tents 
with  them  for  their  sicke  men  ;  and  also  to  make  fortifica- 
tions of  defence,  if  by  any  occasion  the  people  should  take 
any  conceit  of  offence  against  vs,  and  thereby  offer  vs  any 
violence. 

And  the  generall  prescx'ibed  an  order  for  buying  and 
selling  with  the  people,  which  was,  that  at  such  times  as 
they  should  come  downe  with  the  cattell,  only  five  or  six 
men,  appointed  for  that  purpose,  should  goe  to  deale  with 
them,  and  the  rest  (which  should  neuer  bee  vnder  thirtie 
muskets  and  pikes)  should  not  come  neere  the  market,  by 
eight  or  ten  score  at  the  nearest ;  and  alwayes  to  stand  in 
their  ranke  in  a  readiness,  with  their  muskets  in  their  rests, 
what  occasion  soeuer  should  befall.  And  this  order  was 
most  strictly  obserued  and  kept,  that  no  man  durst  once  goe 
to  speake  with  any  of  the  people  without  speciall  leaue,  and 
I  take  this  to  be  the  cause  why  we  lined  in  so  great  friend- 
ship and  amitie  with  them,  contrary  to  that  which  lately 
had  befallen  the  Hollanders,  which  had  fine  or  six  of  their 
men  slaine  by  their  treacherie. 

The  third  day  after  our  comming  into  this  Bay  of  Sal- 
dania,  the  people  brought  downe  beefes  and  muttons,  which 
we  bought  of  them  for  pieces  of  old  iron  hoopes,  as  two 
pieces  of  eight  inches  a  piece  for  an  oxe,  and  one  piece  of 
eight  inches  for  a  sheepe,  with  which  they  seemed  to  be 
well  contented.  Within  ten  or  twelve  dayes  we  bought  of 
them  a  thousand  sheepe  and  two  and  fortie  oxen,  and  might 


64  REFRESHING    AT    SALDANHA    BAY. 

have  bought  many  more  if  wee  would.  Now,  within  twelve 
da3's  they  ceased  to  bring  us  any  more  cattell,  but  the 
people  many  times  came  downe  to  vs  afterward,  and  when 
we  made  them  signes  for  more  sheepe,  they  would  point  vs 
to  those  wee  had  bought,  which  the  generall  caused  to  be 
kept  grazing  vpon  the  hilles  about  our  tents,  and  was  the 
cause  (as  we  iudged)  they  thought  we  would  have  inhabited 
there,  and  therefore  brought  vs  no  more.  But  (God  be 
thanked)  we  were  well  stored  to  satisfie  our  need,  and  might 
then  very  well  forbeare  buying.  These  oxen  are  full  as 
bigge  as  ours,  and  were  very  fat,  and  the  sheepe  many  of 
them  much  bigger,  but  of  a  very  hairie  wooll,  yet  of  exceed- 
ing good  flesh,  fat  and  sweet,  and,  to  our  thinking,  much 
better  than  our  sheepe  in  England.  The  people  of  this 
place  are  all  of  a  tawnie  colour,  of  a  reasonable  stature,  swift 
of  foot,  and  much  giuen  to  picke  and  steale ;  their  speech 
is  wholly  uttered  through  the  throate,  and  they  clocke  with 
their  tongues  in  such  sort,  that  in  seven  weekes  which  we 
remained  heere  in  this  place,  the  sharpest  wit  among  us 
could  not  learne  one  word  of  their  language ;  and  yet  the 
people  would  soone  vnderstand  any  signe  we  made  to 
them. 

While  wee  stayed  heere  in  this  bay,  wee  had  so  royall 
refreshing  that  all  our  men  recouered  their  health  and 
strength,  onely  foure  or  fine  excepted.  But  before  our 
comming  in,  and  in  this  place,  wee  lost  out  of  all  our  ships 
one  hundred  and  fiue  men,  and  yet  wee  made  account  we 
were  stronger  at  our  departure  out  of  this  bay  then  wee 
were  at  our  comming  out  of  England,  our  men  were  so 
well  inured  to  the  southerne  climates. 


DOUBLE    THE    CAPE    OF    RUENA    ESPERANQA.  65 


§11 

Their  departure  from  Saldania,  and  proceeding  in  their  Voyage  to 
Achen  in  Sumatra,  with  their  trading  at  Saint  Maries,  Antongil, 
Nicubar :  the  strange  plant  of  Sombrero,  and  other  occurrents. 

The  foure  and  twentieth  of  October,  the  generall  caused 
all  our  tents  to  be  taken  downe  and  our  men  to  repair 
aboord  the  ships  ;  and  being  fitted  both  of  wood  and  fresh, 
water,  the  nine  and  twentieth  of  October,  wee  put  to  sea, 
and  went  out  by  a  small  iland^  that  lieth  in  the  mouth  of  the 
said  bay,  which  is  exceeding  full  of  seales  and  pengwines, 
so  that  if  there  were  no  other  refreshing,  one  might  very 
well  I'efresh  there.  Oaer  the  Bay  of  Saldania  standeth  a 
very  high  hill,  flat  like  a  table,  and  is  called  the  Table  f 
such  another  plaine  marke  to  find  an  harbour  in  is  not  in 
all  that  coast,  for  it  is  easie  to  be  scene  seuenteen  or  eighteen 
leagues  into  the  Sea.  Sunday,  the  first  of  Nouember,  in 
the  morning,  we  doubled  the  Cape  of  Buena  Esperanca, 
hauing  the  wind  west  north  west  a  great  gale. 

The  sixe  and  twentieth  of  Nouember  wee  fell  with  the 
head-land  of  the  Hand  of  Saint  Laurence,^  somewhat  to  the 
east  of  Cape  Sebastian,  and  being  within  five  miles  of  the 
shoare,  we  sounded,  and  found  twenty  fine  fathome  ;  the 
variation  of  the  compasse  being  little  more  or  lesse  sixteen 
degrees.^  For  in  an  oast  and  west  course  the  variation  of 
the  compasse  helpeth  much,  and  especially  in  this  voyage. 

From  the  sixe  and  twentieth  of  Nouember  till  the  fif- 
teenth of  December  wee  plyed  to  the  eastward,  the  neerest 
our  course  wee  could  lie,  always  striuing  to  haue  gotten  to 
the  Hand  of  Cirne,  which  in  some  cardes  is  called  Diego 

•  See  Bolton  Corney's  Voyage  of  Sir  H.  Middleton,  page  9.  This 
island  is  seven  miles  N.N.W.  of  Cape  Town,  and  now  appears  on  our 
charts  as  llobben  Island  (from  the  Dutch  roh,  a  seal). 

2  The  Table  Mountain.  ^  Madagascar. 

*  At  Mauritius  the  variation  of  the  compass  was  11°  42'  W.  in  180.5, 
16°  40'  W.  in  1813,  11'  18'  W.  in  1836,  and  9°  45'  W.  in  1858. 

F 


66  AT    ANTOKGIL,  IN    MADAGASCAR. 

Rodriques,  but  -wee  found  the  wiud  alwaies,  after  our  com- 
ming  to  the  Hand  of  Saint  Laurence,  at  east  and  east  south- 
east and  east  north-east,  so  that  we  could  not  obtaine  it : 
and  to  strive  long  in  hope  of  change  of  windes  wee  could 
not,  for  now  our  men  began  againe  to  fall  sicke  of  the  scuruy. 
Then  the  captaine  of  the  Vice-amirall  call  ed  to  the  generall 
and  thought  it  best  to  beare  into  the  Bay  of  Antongil,  and 
there  to  refresh  our  men  with  oranges  and  limons,  to  cleere 
our  selves  of  this  disease,  which  was  by  him  and  the  whole 
counsell  called  for  that  purpose  well  approoued. 

The  seuenteenth  of  December,  wee  had  sight  of  the 
southermost  part  of  the  Hand  of  Saint  Mary,^  and  the  next 
day  wee  anchored  betweene  Saint  Mary  and  the  great  Hand 
of  Saint  Laurence,  and  sent  our  boats  aland  to  Saint  Mary, 
where  wee  had  some  store  of  limons  and  oranges,  which 
were  pi-ecious  for  our  diseased  men,  to  purge  their  bodies 
of  the  scuruy.  Now,  as  we  roade  heere,  buying  oranges 
and  limons,  there  arose  vpon  vs  a  very  great  storme,  so 
that  three  of  our  ships  were  put  from  their  anchres  :  bvit 
within  some  sixteen  houres  the  storme  ceased,  and  the  ships 
returned  and  weighed  their  anchors  againe.  The  generall 
thought  it  not  good  to  make  any  longer  stay  there,  seeing 
the  uncertaintie  of  the  weather,  and  that  there  was  vpon 
this  iland  so  little  refreshing  to  be  had,  only  these  oranges 
and  limons,  a  little  goates  milke,  and  some  small  quantitie 
of  rice ;  we  saw  only  one  cow,  and  that  they  draue  away 
as  soone  as  they  saw  vs  come  on  laud.  Seeing  this  place  so 
dangerous  to  ride  in,  the  generall  gaue  present  order  to 
sayle  toward  the  Bay  of  Antongil,"  the  time  of  the  yeere 

'  St.  Mary  Island,  off  the  east  coast  of  JMacIagascar.  is  in  lat.  17°  7'  S., 
long.  49°  62'  E.  It  is  called  by  the  natives  Nossi  Ibrahim.  It  is  a  long 
narrow  issland,  covered  with  trees,  and  lies  parallel  to  the  coast.  The 
narrowest  part  of  the  channel  between  St.  ISIary  and  Madagascar  is  four 
miles  wide. 

2  Antongil  Bay,  on  the  east  coast  of  INladagascnr,  is  named  after 
Antonio  Gil,  its  Portuguese  discoverer.  The  entrance  is  eleven  leagues 
to  tlio  north  of  St.  Mary  Island. 


AT  ANTONGIL,  IN  MADAGASCAR.  67 

being   spent,  the  easterly  winds  come  against  vs,   and  our 
men  sicke. 

This  Hand  of  S.  Mary  is  high  land,  and  full  of  woods  ; 
the  people  are  blacke,  very  handsome  and  tall  men,  and  of 
curled  haire,  onely  before  in  their  foreheads  they  stroke  it 
up,  as  the  women  do  here  in  England,  so  that  it  standeth 
some  three  inches  vpright.  They  are  wholly  without  apparell, 
onely  their  priuy  parts  couered ;  they  are  very  tractable  to 
conuerse  withall,  yet  seeme  to  be  very  valiant.  The  most  of 
their  food  is  rice,  and  some  fish  ;  yet  at  our  being  there, 
wee  could  buy  but  small  store  of  rice,  for  the  time  of  their 
store  was  farre  spent  and  their  harvest  was  at  hand.  There 
are  two  or  three  watering  places  on  the  north  part  of  this 
iland,  but  none  of  them  very  commodious  ;  yet  with  some 
trauell  there  is  water  enough  to  be  had. 

The  twentie-third  of  December  we  departed  fi^om  this 
Iland  of  S.  Mary,  and  the  twentie-fift  being  Christmas  day, 
we  came  into  the  Baye  of  Antongil,  and  came  to  an  anchor 
in  eight  fathara  water,  betweene  a  small  iland  and  the  mayne, 
lying  in  the  bottome  of  the  baye,  a  very  good  and  a  safe 
roade.  But  the  best  riding  is  neerest  vnder  a  small  iland, 
for  the  defence  of  the  winde  that  bloweth  there ;  for  while 
we  abode  in  this  baye,  there  blew  an  exceeding  great  storme, 
and  those  of  our  shippes  that  road  neei'est  the  small  island, 
beeing  vnder  the  wind,  sped  best,  for  two  of  our  ships 
droue  with  three  anchors  ahead,  the  ground  being  ozy  and 
not  firme.  At  our  going  a  land  in  the  little  iland  we  per- 
ceiued,  by  writing  vpon  the  rockes,  of  five  Holland  ships 
whichhadbeene  there,  and  were  departed  about  two  monethes 
before  our  comming  in,  and  had  had  some  sicknesse  among 
their  men,  and  had  lost  (as  we  perceiued)  betweene  one 
hundred  and  fiftie  and  two  hundred  men  while  they  roade 
in  that  place. 

The  next  day  after  our  comming  to  an  anchor,  we  went 
a  land  to  the  mayne  iland,  where  the  people  presently  re- 

f2 


68  AT  ANTONQIL,  IN  MADAGASCAR. 

paired  to  vs,  and  made  vs  signes  of  the  five  Holland  ships 
departed,  and  that  they  had  bought  the  most  part  of 
their  prouision.  Yet  they  entred  into  barter  with  vs  for 
rice  and  hennes,  oranges  and  limons,  and  another  fruit 
called  plantans,  and  held  all  at  high  rates^  and  brought  but 
a  pedlars  quantitie.  Our  market  was  neere  to  a  great  riuer, 
into  which  we  went  with  our  boats,  and  some  men  that 
were  appointed  to  be  buyers  went  ashore  :  the  rest  re- 
mained in  the  boates,  alwaies  readie  with  their  weapons  in 
their  hands,  and  the  boates  some  fifteene  or  twentie  yardes 
off  into  the  water,  where  the  people  could  not  wade  to  them, 
and  were  readie  at  all  times  (if  they  a  shore  had  had  any 
need)  to  take  them  in.  So  we  trifled  off  some  dales  before 
(as  aforesaid)  we  could  bring  them  to  any  reall  trade,  for  all 
these  people  of  the  south  and  east  parts  are  very  subtill  and 
craftie  in  their  bartering,  buying,  and  selling,  that  unless 
you  hold  a  neere  hand  with  them,  you  shall  hardly  bring 
them  to  trade  in  any  plaine  sort.  For  they  would  sift  you 
continually  to  giue  a  little  more,  and  then  no  man  will  sell 
without  that  price  ;  so  that  you  must  not  inlarge  to  any 
one  more  than  another,  for  in  so  doing  all  will  have  that 
price  or  none.  The  generall  seeing  this,  commanded  measures 
to  be  made  of  (almost)  a  quart,  and  appointed  how  many 
glasse  beades  should  be  giuen  for  euery  measure,  and  that 
he  that  would  not  deale  in  this  manner  should  not  deale  at 
all.  The  like  order  was  set  downe  for  oranges,  limons,  and 
plantans,  how  many  for  euery  beade,  or  else  not.  Our 
merchants,  after  a  little  holding  off,  consented,  and  our  deal- 
ing was  francke  and  round,  without  any  contradiction  or 
words.  So  that  while  we  abode  heere,  we  bought  15| 
tunnes  of  rice,  fortie  or  fiftie  bushels  of  their  pease  and 
beanes,  great  store  of  oranges,  limons,  and  plantans,  and 
eight  beeues,  with  many  hennes.  While  we  roade  in  this 
baye,  we  reared  a  pinnace,  which  we  brought  in  pieces  in 
our  shippes  out  of  England,  and  cut  downe  trees,  of  which 


SICKNESS    AMONG    THE    CREWS.  69 

there  were  v^er}"-  great^  and  great  store,  wliicli  trees  we  sawed 
out  in  boordes,  and  sheathed  her.  This  pinnace  was  of 
some  eighteene  tunnes,  and  very  necessary,  and  fit  to  goo 
before  our  shippes  at  our  commiug  into  India.  In  the  time 
we  stayed  heere,  there  died  out  of  the  generalls  shippe  the 
masters  mate,  the  preacher,  and  the  surgeon,  with  some 
tonne  other  common  men.  And  out  of  the  Vice-admirall 
there  died  the  master,  with  some  other  two.  And  out  of 
the  Ascention,  by  a  very  great  mischance,  were  slaine  the 
captaine  and  the  boatswaines  mate.  For,  as  the  masters 
mate  out  of  the  generalls  shippe  was  carried  a  land  to  be 
buried,  the  captaine  of  the  Ascention  tooke  his  boate  to  goe 
a  land  to  his  buriall ;  and  as  it  is  the  order  of  the  sea  to 
shoote  off  certaine  peeces  of  ordnance  at  the  buriall  of  any 
officer,  the  gunner  of  the  ordnance  shotte  off  three  peeces, 
and,  the  bullets  beiug  in  them,  one  stroke  the  Ascentions 
boate,  and  slue  the  captaine  and  the  boatswaines  mate  starke 
dead,  so  that  they  that  went  to  see  the  buriall  of  another 
"were  both  buried  there  themselues.  Those  that  died  heere, 
died  most  of  the  flux,  which  (in  our  opinion)  came  with  the 
waters  which  we  drunke,  for  it  was  the  time  of  winter,  when 
it  rained  very  much,  which  caused  great  flouds  to  ouerflowe 
the  countrie,  so  that  the  waters  were  not  wholsome,  as  in 
most  places  in  these  hot  countries  they  are  not  in  the  time 
of  their  raines.  This  disease  also  of  the  flux  is  often  taken 
by  going  open  and  cold  in  the  stomacke,  which  our  men 
would  often  doe  when  they  were  hot. 

We  set  saile  out  of  this  baye  the  sixth  of  March,  and  held 
our  course  toward  India,  and  the  sixteenth  we  fell  with 
an  iland  called  liogue-Pize,^  which  lyeth  in  10^  degrees  to 
the  south  of  the  equinoctiall  line.     To  this  iland  the  generall 

>  Roquepez,  a  low  sandy  island,  said  to  be  in  6^  2-i'  S.  and  60'  4'  E. ; 
but  its  existence  has  been  doubted,  and  Captain  Taylor  suggests  that 
one  of  Her  Majesty's  steamers  should  settle  the  question  of  the  positiou 
of  this  and  other  doubtful  dangers.     {India  Directory^  1874,  p.  636.) 


70  AMONG    THE    CHAGOS    ISLANDS. 

sent  his  boate,  to  see  whether  there  were  any  safe  riding 
for  the  shippes,  but  the  boate  (for  the  most  part)  found  deepe 
water,  where  the  shippes  could  not  safely  ride.  As  we 
coasted  along  this  iland,  it  seemed  very  faire  and  pleasant, 
exceeding  full  of  foule  and  coco  nut-trees  ;  and  there  came 
from  the  land  such  a  pleasant  smell  as  if  it  had  beene  a 
garden  of  flowers.  And  surely,  if  there  be  any  good  riding 
for  shippes  in  this  iland,  it  must  needes  be  a  place  of  very 
great  refreshing.  For  as  our  boates  went  neere  the  land, 
they  saw  great  store  of  fish,  and  the  foules  came  wondering 
about  them  in  such  sort,  that  with  the  oares,  wherewith  the 
mariners  rowed,  they  killed  many  which  were  the  fattest 
and  the  best  that  we  tasted  all  the  voyage.  And  of  these 
there  was  such  exceeding  great  abunda7ice,  that  many  more 
shippes  then  we  had  with  vs  might  have  refreshed  them- 
selues  therewith. 

The  thirtieth  of  March,  1  602,  being  in  sixe  degrees  to 
the  South  of  the  Line,  wee  happened  vpon  a  ledge  of  rockes, 
and  looking  ouer-boord,  and  seeing  them  vnder  the  shippe 
about  fine  fathome  deepe,  it  much  amazed  vs,  falling  vpon 
them  sudden  and  vnexpected.  Then  as  wee  were  presently 
casting  about  the  ship,  wee  found  eight  fathome,  and  so 
held  on  our  course  east.  One  of  our  men  being  in  the  top, 
saw  an  iland  south-east  of  vs,  some  fiue  or  sixe  leagues  off 
being  but  low  land ;  this  we  judged  to  be  the  Iland  of 
Cardu,'  although  in  our  course  we  could  not  (by  computa- 
tion) find  ourselues  so  farre  shot  to  the  eastward.  Bearing 
on  our  course  some  thirteene  or  fourteene  leagues,  we  foil 
upon  another  flat  of  rockes.  Then  wee  cast  about  the 
southward,  and  sayling  some  twelue  leagues,  found  other 
rockes  ;  so  that  proving  divers  wayes,  wee  found  flats  of 

»  One  of  the  Maldive  group,  whicli  extends  from  7^  G'  N.  to  0^  42'  S. 
But  Lancaster  must  have  been  among  the  Chagos  islalids  and  banks, 
extending  from  7°  29'  S.  to  4°  44'  S.  They  were  minutely  surveyed  by 
Captain  Moresby  in  1837. 


AT    THE    NICUBAR    ISLAND.  71 

rockes  round  about  us  ;  and  twentie  and  tliirtie,  and  in 
some  places^  forty  and  fiftie  fatliome  water  in  tlie  middest 
of  the  flats.  Here  we  were  for  two  dayes  and  an  halfe  in 
exceeding  danger,  and  could  find  no  way  to  get  out.  But 
at  last  wee  resolued  to  seeke  to  the  northward,  and  in  sixe 
degrees,  fortie-three  minutes  (God  bee  thanked)  wee  found 
sixe  fathome  water ;  the  piunasse  alwayes  going  before  vs, 
and  sounding,  with  commandement  to  make  signes  what 
depth  she  had,  that  thereby  we  might  follow  her.  Thus 
(thankes  be  to  God)  being  deliuered  out  of  this  pound,  we 
followed  our  course  with  variable  windes,  till  the  ninth  of 
May,  about  foure  of  the  clocke  in  the  afteruoone,  at  which 
time  we  had  sight  of  the  Hands  of  Nicubar,  and  bare  in  and 
anchored  on  the  north  side  of  the  channell.  But  the  wind 
changing  to  the  south-west,  wee  were  forced  to  hoyse  our 
anchors,  and  to  beare  ouer  to  the  south  side  of  the  channell  : 
and  so  come  to  an  anchor  vnder  a  small  iland  that  lyeth  on  the 
said  shore. .  Here  wee  had  fresh  water  and  some  coco  nuts, 
other  refreshing  wee  had  little.  Yet  the  people  came 
aboord  our  shippes  in  long  canoas,  which  would  hold 
twentie  men  and  aboue  in  one  of  them,  and  brought 
gummes  to  sell  instead  of  amber,  and  therewithal  deceiued 
diners  of  our  men  ;  for  these  people  of  the  east  are  wholly 
giuen  to  deceit.  They  brought  also  hennes  and  coco  nuts 
to  sell,  but  held  them  very  deare  :  so  that  we  bought  few  of 
them.  We  stayed  here  ten  dayes,  placing  of  our  ordnance 
and  trimming  of  our  ships,  because  we  would  be  in  all 
readinesse  at  our  arrivall,  at  our  first  port,  which  we  were 
not  (now)  farre  from. 

The  twentieth  of  Aprill,  in  the  morning,  we  set  saile  to 
goe  toward  Sumatra,  but  the  wind  blew  so  hard  at  south 
south-west,  and  the  currant  was  against  vs^  that  we  could 
not  proceed;  but  beating  vp  and  downe,  our  ships  fell  into 
two  leakes,  so  that  wee  were  forced  to  goe  to  the  Iland  of 


72  NICUBAR    ISLANDS. 

Sombrero^*  some  ten  or  twelve  leagues  to  the  northwai'd  of 
Nicubar.  Heere  we  in  the  Ad  mi  rail  lost  an  anchor,  for  the 
ground  is  foule,  and  groweth  full  of  counterfeit  corrall  and 
some  rockes,  which  cut  our  cable  asunder,  so  that  we  could 
not  recouer  our  anchor. 

The  people  of  these  ilands  goe  naked,  hauing  only  the 
priuities  bound  up  in  a  peece  of  linnen  cloath,  which 
commeth  about  their  middles  like  a  girdle,  and  so  between 
their  twist.  They  are  all  of  a  tauuy  colour,  and  annoint 
their  faces  with  diners  colours  ;  they  are  well  limmed,  but 
very  fearefull;  for  none  of  them  would  come  aboord  our 
shippes,  or  enter  into  our  boates.  The  generall  reported 
that  he  had  seen  some  of  their  priests  or  sacrificers,  all  ap- 
parelled, but  close  to  their  bodies,  as  if  they  had  beene 
sewed  in  it;  and  upon  their  heads  a  paire  of  homes  turning 
backward,  with  their  faces  painted  greene,  blacke,  and 
yellow,  and  their  homes  also  painted  with  the  same  colour. 
And  behind  them,  vpon  their  buttocks,  a  taile  hanging 
downe,  very  much  like  the  manner,  as  in  some  painted 
cloathes,  we  paint  the  diuell  in  our  countrey.  He  demaund- 
ing  wherefore  they  went  in  that  attire,  answer  was  made 
him,  that  in  such  forme  the  diuell  appeared  to  them 
in  their  sacrifices ;  and  therefore,  the  priests,  his  seruants, 
were  so  apparelled.  In  this  iland  grow  trees,  which  for 
their  talness,  greatnesse,  and  straightnesse,  will  serue  the 
biggest  shippe  in  all  our  fleete  for  a  maine  mast :  and  this 
ilaiid  is  full  of  those  trees. 

Heere,  likewise,  we  found  vpon  the  sands,  by  the  sea- 
side, a  small  twigge  growing  vp  to  a  young  tree,  and  offer- 
ing to  plucke  vp  the  same,  it  shrunke  downe  into  the 
ground,  and  sinketh,  unlesse  you  hold  very  hard.  And 
being  plucked  vp,  a  great  worme  is  the  roote  of  it :  and 
looke  how    the    tree    groweth    in    greatnesse,    the    worme 

'  The  Sombreiro  Channel  separates  Nancowry  from  little  Nicobar. 
Lancaster's  Sombrero  Island  nnist  be  Nancowry. 


A    STKANGE    TREE.  73 

diminisheth.  Now  as  sooue  as  the  worme  is  wliolly  turned 
into  the  tree,  it  rooteth  in  the  ground,  and  so  groweth  to 
be  great.  This  transformation  was  one  of  the  strangest 
wonders  that  I  saw  in  all  my  trauailes.  For  this  tree 
being  plucked  vp  little,  the  leaues  stripped  oflf,  and  the  pill, 
by  that  time  it  was  dry,  turned  into  an  hard  stone,  much  like 
to  white  corrall ;  so  that  this  worme  was  twice  transformed 
into  diflferent  natures:  of  these  we  gathered,  and  brought 
home  many.^ 

*  Mr.  Homf  ray,the  officer  in  charge  of  the  Nicobar  Islands,  informs  me 
that  the  curious  animal,  described  in  the  text,  is  common  at  the  ^icobar 
Andaman  Islands.  It  is  found  in  the  sand  between  high  and  low  water 
mark,  and  is,  he  thinks,  one  of  the  coralliferous  polyps  (Virgularia 
mirahilis).  It  j^rotrudes  from  its  hole  as  the  tide  rises,  disappearing 
almost  completely  when  it  falls,  or  on  being  touched,  unless  it  is  clutched 
very  firmly.  AVlth  much  perseverance,  it  is  dug  out  of  the  ground  while 
being  held  by  one  hand,  during  which  operation  it  sustains  some  injury. 
The  so-called  leaves  break  off,  owing  to  the  animal  having  constantly  to 
seek  shelter  below  the  sand  ;  and  are  supposed  to  be  really  seaweed  or 
fungus  parasites.  Out  of  fifty  siaecimens  collected  for  Mr.  Homfray, 
only  four  had  leaves. 

Mr.  Warneford,  the  Chaplain  at  Port  Blair  (Andaman  Islands), 
tells  me  that  they  are  found  in  great  variety,  sometimes  in  sand, 
but  more  frequently  in  mud.  Some  of  them,  at  the  top  or  part 
projecting  above  the  surface,  do  branch  out  just  like  a  small  tree. 
They  vary  in  colour,  in  length,  and  in  shape.  Mr.  Warneford  has 
some  specimens  in  spirits,  and  numbers  of  dried  ones,  white,  mauve, 
and  yellow.  Some  are  rough,  some  smooth ;  and  Mr.  Warneford 
says  that  the  description  in  the  text  is  true,  though  rather  enlarged. 
When  pulled  up,  they  have  a  large  fleshy  bottom,  which  is  really  the 
intestines  of  the  animal,  not  a  separate  worm.  They  have  the  power  of 
drawiucf  themselves  down  into  the  mud  when  touched. 


74  ARRIVAL    AT    ACHIN. 

§    III. 
Their  eutertahimeut  and  trade  at  Acliem.^ 

The  nine  and  twentieth  of  May,  we  set  saile  from  this 
iland  of  Sombrero,  and  the  second  of  June^  we  had  sight  of 
the  hiud  of  Sumatra,  and  the  fifth  of  June  we  came  to 
anchor  in  the  Roade  of  Achem,  some  two  miles  off  the  citie. 
Here  we  found  sixteene  or  eighteene  saile  of  shippes  of 
diuers  nations,  Goserats,  some  of  Bengala,  some  of  Calicut, 
called  Malabares,  some  Pegues,  and  some  Patanyes,  which 
came  to  trade  there. 

There  came  aboord  of  ns  two  Holland  merchants  which 
had  beene  left  thei'e  behind  their  shippes,  to  learn  the 
language  and  manners  of  the  country.  These  told  vs,  we 
should  be  very  welcome  to  the  king,  who  was  desirous  to 
intertaine  strangers  ;  and  that  the  Queene  of  England  was 
very  famous  in  those  parts,  by  reason  of  the  warres  and 
great  victox'ies  which  she  had  gotten  against  the  king  of 
Spaine.  The  same  day  the  generall  sent  Captaine  John 
Middleton,  captaine  of  the  Vice-Admirall,  with  foure  or  fiue 
gentlemen  to  attend  vpon  him,  to  the  King,  to  declare  vnto 
him  that  he  was  sent  from  the  generall  of  those  shippes, 
who  had  a  message  and  a  letter  from  the  most  famous  Queene 
of  England,  to  the  most  worthy  King  of  Achem  and  Sumatra.^ 

»  The  name  is  properly  Acheh.  The  Portuguese  turned  it  into  Achem, 
and  the  English  call  it  Achin,  the  Dutch  Atjin.  Colonel  Yule  suggests 
that  we  got  our  form  of  the  word  from  the  Arabs,  who  have  Achin.  It 
is  so  written  in  the/l/«  Alhari  and  in  the  geographical  tables  of  Siidik 
Isfahan!.     (See  Geocjrajihical  Magazine,  Aug.  1873,  p.  175.) 

*  A.D.  1602. 

s  The  name  of  the  King  of  Achin  was  then  Ala-uddin  Shah,  a  usurper 
who,  in  1585,  had  murdered  the  former  kings,  INIansur  Shah,  and  his 
family.  Alauddin  is  said  to  have  been  originally  a  fisherman,  whose 
courage  and  prudence  raised  him  to  the  position  of  commander  of  the 
forces.  He  died  in  1604,  at  the  age  of  95 ;  and  was  succeeded  by  his 
son  All  INIaghayat  Shah. 


RECEPTION    DY    THE    KING.  75 

And  that  it  would  please  his  royall  maiesty  to  giue  to  the 
said  messenger  audience  to  doliucr  his  message  and  letter, 
with  a  sufficient  wai'rant  for  the  safety  of  him  and  his 
people,  according  to  the  law  of  nations,  holden  in  that  be- 
halfe.  This  messenger  was  very  kindly  entertained  by  the 
king,  who  when  he  had  deliuered  liis  message,  gladly 
granted  his  request,  and  communed  with  him  about  many 
questions  :  and  after  caused  a  royall  banquet  to  be  made 
him.  And  at  his  departure  gaue  a  robe  and  a  tucke  of 
calico  wrought  with  gold,  which  is  the  manner  of  the  kings 
of  this  place  to  those  he  will  grace  with  his  speciall  favour. 
And  withall  sent  his  commendations  to  the  generall,  willing 
him  to  stay  one  day  aboord  his  ships,  to  rest  himselfe  after 
his  comming  from  the  disquiet  seas,  and  the  next  day  to 
come  a  land,  and  haue  kind  audience  and  franke  leaue,  with 
as  great  assurance  as  if  he  were  in  the  kingdome  of  the 
Queene  his  mistris.  And  if  he  doubted  of  anything  of  this 
his  royall  woi'd,  such  honourable  pledges  should  be  sent 
him  for  his  further  assurance  as  he  should  rest  very  well 
satisfied  therewith. 

The  third  day,  the  generall  went  a  land  very  well  accom- 
panied, with  some  thirtie  men  or  more  to  attend  upon  him, 
and  first  at  his  landing  the  Holland  merchants  met  him,  and 
carried  him  home  to  their  house,  as  it  was  appointed.  For 
as  yet,  the  generall  would  make  choyce  of  no  house  of  his 
owne,  till  he  had  spoken  with  the  king,  but  stayed  at  the 
Hollanders  house,  till  a  noble  man  came  from  the  king,  who 
saluted  the  generall  very  kindly,  and  declared  that  he  came 
from  his  Maiestie,  and  represented  his  person.  Then  he 
demaunded  the  queenes  letter  of  the  generall,  which  he 
refused  to  deliuer;  saying,  he  would  deliuer  it  to  the  king 
himself  For  it  was  the  order  of  embassadours,  in  those 
parts  of  the  world  from  whence  he  came,  to  deliuer  their 
letters  to  the  princes  owne  hands,  and  not  to  any  that  did 
represent  the  kings  person.      So  he  demaunded  to  see  the 


76  Lancaster's  reception  at  achin, 

superscription,  which  the  generall  shewed  him,  and  he  read 
the  same,  and  looked  very  earnestly  upon  the  scale,  tooke  a 
note  of  the  superscription,  and  did  likewise  write  her 
maiesties  name ;  and  then,  with  courtesie  tooke  his  leaue, 
and  repaired  to  the  court  to  tell  the  king  what  had  passed. 
Who  presently  sent  sixe  great  elephants,  with  many  trumpets, 
drums  and  streamers,  with  much  people  to  accompany  the 
generall  to  the  court,  so  that  the  pi^esse  was  exceeding 
great.  The  biggest  of  these  elephants  was  about  thirteene 
or  fourteene  foote  high,  which  had  a  small  castle,  like  a 
coach  upon  his  back,  couei'ed  with  crimson  veluet.  In  the 
middle  thereof  was  a  great  bason  of  gold,  and  a  peece  of 
silke  exceeding  richly  wrought  to  couer  it,  vnder  which  her 
Maiesties  letter  was  put.  The  genei-all  was  mounted  vpon 
another  of  the  elephants;  some  of  his  attendants  rode,  others 
went  a  foote.  But  when  he  came  to  the  court  gate,  there  a 
nobleman  stayed  the  generall,  till  he  had  gone  in  to  know 
the  kings  further  pleasure.  But  presently  the  said  noble- 
man returned,  and  willed  the  generall  to  enter  in.  And 
when  the  generall  came  to  the  kings  presence,  he  made  his 
obeysance  after  the  manner  of  the  country,  declaring  that 
hee  was  sent  from  the  most  mightie  Queene  of  England  to 
congratulate  with  his  highnesse  and  treat  with  him  concern- 
ing a  peace  and  amitie  with  his  Maiestie,  if  it  pleased  him  to 
entertaine  the  same.  And  thei-ewithall  began  to  enter  into 
further  discourse,  which  the  king  brake  off,  saying:  I  am 
sure  you  are  weary  of  the  long  trauaile  you  haue  taken,  I 
would  haue  you  sit  downe  and  refresh  your  selfe.  You  are 
very  welcome,  and  heere  you  shall  haue  whatsoeuer  you  will 
in  any  reasonable  conditions  demaund  for  your  princesse 
sake,  for  she  is  worthy  of  all  kindnesse  and  franke  con- 
ditions, being  a  princesse  of  great  noblenesse,  for  fame 
speaketh  so  much  of  her.  The  generall  perceiuing  the 
kings  mind,  deliuered  him  the  queenes  letter,  which  he 
willingly  received,  and  deliuered  the  same  to  a  noble  man 


Lancaster's  reception  at  achin.  77 

standing  by  him.       Tlion  the  generall  proceeded  to  deliuer 
him  his  present,  which  was  a  bason  of  siluer,  with  a  foun- 
taine  in  the  middest  of  it,  weighing  two  hundred  and  fine 
ounces,  a  great  standing  cup  of  siluer,  a  rich  looking-glasse, 
and  head-piece  with  a  plume  of  feathers,  a  case  of  very  faire 
daggers,  a  rich  wrought  embroidered  belt  to  hang  a  sword 
in,  and  a  fan  of  feathers.       All  these  were  receiued  in  the 
kings  presence  by  a  nobleman  of  the  court ;  onely  he  tooke 
into  his  owne  hand  the  fanne  of  feathers,  and  caused  one  of 
his  women  to  fanne  him  therewithall,  as  a  thing  that  most 
pleased  him  of  all  the  rest.       The  generall  was  commanded 
to  sit  downe  in  the  kings  presence,  as  the  manner  is,  vpon 
the  ground  ;  where  was  a  very  great  banquet  prouided.     All 
the  dishes,  in  which  the  meate  was  serued  in,  were  either 
of  pure  gold,  or  of  another  mettall,  which  (among  them)  is 
of  great  estimation,  called    tambaycke,  which   groweth    of 
gold  and  brasse  together.     In  this  banquet,  the  king,  (as  he 
sate  aloft  in  a  gallery,  about  a  fathome  from  the  ground) 
dranke  oft  to  the  generall  in  their  wine,  which  they  call 
racke.       This  wine  is  made  of  rice,  and  is  as  strong  as  any 
of  our  aquauita  :  a  little  will  serue  to    bring  one  asleepe. 
The  generall,  after  the  first  draught,  dranke  either  water 
mingled  therewithall,  or  pure  water  ;  the  king  gaue    him 
leaue  so  to  do,  for  the  generall  craued  his  pardon,  as  not 
able  to  drinke   so  strong    drinke.       After   this    feast  was 
done,  the  king  caused  his  damosels  to  come  forth  and  dance, 
and  his  women  to  play  musicke  vnto  them  ;  and  these  women 
were  richly  attired,  and  adorned  with  bracelets  and  jewels  ; 
and  this  they  account  a  great  fauour,    for   these   ai-e  not 
vsually  seene  of  any  but  such  as  the  king  will  greatly  honour. 
The  king  also  gaue  vnto  the  generall  a  fine  white  robe  of 
calico,  richly  wrought  with  gold,  and  a  very  faire  girdle  of 
Turkey  worke,  and  two  cresses,  which  are  a  kind  of  daggers, 
all  which  a  noble  man  put  on  in  the  kings  presence ;  and  in 
this  manner  he  was  dismissed  the  court,  with  very  great 


78  QUEEN  Elizabeth's  LETTER 

curtesies,  and  one  sent  along  with  him  tomakeclioyce  of  an 
house  in  the  citie^  where  the  generall  thought  most  meete. 
But,  at  this  time,  he  refused  this  kindnesse,  and  rather 
chose  to  goe  aboord  his  ships ;  and  left  the  king  to  con- 
sider of  the  queenes  lettei",  the  tenor  whereof  hereafter 
followeth  : 

"  EUzabetli  hy  the  Grace  of  God,  Queene  of  England,  France, 
and  Ireland  {Defendresse  of  the  Christian  Faith  and 
Religion.) 

"To  the  great  and  mightie  King  of  Achem,  8,'c.,  in  the  Island 
of  Su')natra,  02cr  I oning  Brother,  greeting. 

"  The  eternall  God,  of  his  diuine  knowledge  and  proui- 
dence,  hath  so  disposed  His  blessings  and  good  things  of 
His  creation  for  the  use  and  nourishment  of  mankind,  in 
such  sort :  that  notwithstanding  theygrowe  in  diuers  king- 
domes  and  regions  of  the  world,  yet,  by  the  industrie  of 
man  (stirred  up  by  the  inspiration  of  the  said  omnipotent 
Creator)  they  are  dispersed  into  the  most  I'emote  places  of 
the  universall  world ;  to  the  end,  that  euen  therein  may 
appeare  unto  all  nations  His  maruellous  workes.  He  hauing 
so  ordained  that  the  one  land  may  haue  need  of  the  other  ; 
and  thereby,  not  only  breed  intercourse  and  exchange  of 
their  merchandise  and  fruits,  which  doe  so  superabound  in 
some  countries  and  want  in  others,  but  also  ingender  loue 
and  friendship  betwixt  all  men,  a  thing  naturally  diuine. 

"  Whereunto  wee  hauing  respect  (right  noble  king),  and 
also  to  the  honorable  and  truly  royall  fame,  which  hath 
hither  stretched  of  your  Highnesse  humane  and  noble  usage 
of  strangers,  which  repaire  into  that  your  kingdome,  in  love 
and  peace,  in  the  trade  of  merchandise,  paying  your  due 
customes.  Wee  haue  beene  mooued  to  giue  licence  unto 
these  our  subiects,  who  with  commendable  and  good  de- 
sires, saile  to  visite  that  your  kingdome :  Notwithstanding 
the    dangers  and    miseries    of    the  sea,  naturall  to  such  a 


TO    THE    KINO    OP   ACHIN.  79 

voyage,  whicli  (by  the  gi'ace  of  God),  they  will  make,  beeing 
the  greatest  that  is  to  be  made  in  the  world  :  and  to  present 
trafficke  unto  your  subiects.  Which  their  offer,  if  it  shall 
bee  accepted  by  your  Highnesse,  with  such  loue  and  grace, 
as  wee  hope  for,  of  so  great  and  magnanimious  a  prince  : 
wee  for  them  doe  promise,  that  in  no  time  hereafter  you 
shall  haue  cause  to  repent  thereof,  but  rather  to  reioyce 
much.  For  their  dealing  shall  be  true,  and  their  conversa- 
tion sure,  and  wee  hope  that  they  will  giue  so  good  proofs 
thereof,  that  this  beginning  shall  be  a  pei'petuall  confirma- 
tione  of  loue  betwixt  our  subiects  on  both  parts,  by  carrying 
from  us  such  things  and  merchandise  as  you  have  need  of 
there.  So  that  your  highnesse  shall  be  very  Avell  serued 
and  better  contented  than  you  haue  heretofore  beene  with 
the  Portugals  and  Spaniards,  our  enemies  ;  who  only,  and 
none  else  of  these  regions,  haue  frequented  those  youi*,  and 
the  other  kiugdomes  of  the  East.  ISTot  suffering  that  the 
other  nations  should  doe  it,  pretending  themselves  to  be 
monarchs  and  absolute  lords  of  all  these  kiugdomes  and 
prouinces,  as  their  owne  conquest  and  inheritance,  as  ap- 
peareth  by  their  loftie  title  in  their  writings.  The  contrarie 
whereof  hath  very  lately  appeared  unto  us,  and  that  your 
highnesse  and  your  royalle  familie,  fathers,  and  grandfathers 
haue  (by  the  grace  of  God  and  their  valour)  knowne  not 
onely  to  defend  your  owne  kiugdomes,  but  also  to  give 
warres  unto  the  Portugals  in  the  lands  which  they  possesse, 
as  namely  in  Malaca,  in  the  yeere  of  Humane  Redemption, 
1575,  under  the  conduct  of  your  valient  Captaine  Ragama- 
cota,  with  their  great  losse  and  the  perpetuall  honour  of 
your  highnesse  crowne  and  kingdome. 

"  And  now,  if  your  highnesse  shall  be  pleased  to  accept  into 
your  favour  and  grace,  and  under  your  royall  pi'otection  and 
defence,  these  our  subiects,  that  they  may  freely  doe  their 
businesse  now,  and  continue  yearely  hereafter,  this  bearer, 
who  goeth  chiefe  of  this  fleet  of  foure  ships,  hath  order  (with 


80  NEGOTIATION    WITH    THE    KING    OF   ACHIN. 

your  higlinesse  licence)  to  leaue  certaine  factors,  with  a 
setled  house  of  factorie  in  your  kingdome,  untill  the  going 
thither  of  another  fleet  which  shall  goe  thither  upon  the 
returne  of  this.  Which  left  factors  shall  learne  the  language 
and  customes  of  your  subiects,  whereby  the  better  and  more 
louingly  to  conuerse  with  them.  And  the  better  to  confirme 
this  confederacie  and  friendship  betwixt  us,  wee  are  con- 
tented if  your  highnesse  be  so  pleased  that  you  cause  capitu- 
lations reasonable  to  be  made  ;  and  that  this  bearer  doe  the 
like  in  our  name.  Which  wee  promise  to  performe  royally 
and  entirely,  as  well  herein  as  in  other  agreements  and 
arguments  which  he  will  communicate  unto  you ;  to  whom 
we  doe  greatly  desire  your  highnesse  to  give  intire  faith  and 
credite,  and  that  you  will  receiue  him,  and  the  rest  of  his 
companie,  under  your  royal  protection,  fauouring  them  in 
what  shall  be  reason  and  justice.  And  we  promise  on  our 
behalfe  to  re-answere  in  like  degi-ee  in  all  that  your  high- 
nesse shall  have  need  out  of  these  our  kingdom es,  and  wee 
desire  that  your  highnesse  would  be  so  pleased  to  send  us 
answere  by  this  bearer  of  this  our  letter,  that  wee  may 
thereby  understand  of  your  royall  acceptance  of  the  friend- 
ship and  league  which  we  offer,  and  greatly  desire  may  have 
an  happie  beginning,  with  long  yeares  to  continue.'^ 

At  his  next  going  to  the  court,  hee  had  long  conference 
with  the  king  concerning  the  effect  of  the  queenes  letter, 
wherewith  the  king  seemed  to  be  very  well  pleased,  and 
said  if  the  contents  of  that  letter  came  from  the  heart,  he 
had  good  cause  to  thinke  well  thereof  And,  for  the  league 
her  Maiestie  was  desirous  to  hold  with  him,  hee  was  well 
pleased  therewith.  And  for  the  further  demands  the  generall 
made  from  her  in  respect  of  the  merchants  trafficke,  he  had 
committed  all  these  points  to  two  of  his  noblemen  to  conferre 
with  him,  and  promised  what  her  Maiestie  had  requested 
should  b}'  all  good  meanes  be  granted.  With  this  con- 
tented answere,  after    another  banquet    appointed  for  the 


lancastkr's  arguments  for  a  trkaty.  si 

general^  he  departed  the  court.  And  the  next  day  he  sent 
to  those  noblemen  the  king  had  named  to  him,  to  know 
their  appointed  time  when  they  would  sit  vpon  this  con- 
ference. The  one  of  those  noblemen  was  the  chiefe  bishope 
of  the  realme,  a  man  of  great  estimation  with  the  king 
and  all  the  people ;  and  so  he  well  deserued,  for  he  was  a 
man  very  wise  and  temperate.  The  other  was  one  of  the 
most  ancient  nobilitie^  a  man  of  very  good  grauitie  but  not 
so  fit  to  enter  into  those  conferences  as  the  bishop  was.  A 
day  and  a  meeting  was  appointed^  where  many  questions 
passed  betwixt  them,  and  all  the  conferences  passed  in  the 
Arabicke  tongue,  which  both  the  bishop  and  the  other  noble- 
man well  understood.  Now  the  generall  (before  his  going 
out  of  England)  intertained  a  Jew  who  spake  that  language 
perfectly,  which  stood  him  in  good  steed  at  that  time. 
About  many  demandes  the  generall  made  touching  free- 
domes  for  the  merchantes,  the  bishop  said  vnto  him  :  '  Sir, 
what  reasons  shall  we  show  to  the  king,  from  you,  whereby 
he  may  (the  more  willingly)  grant  these  things  which  you 
haue  demanded  to  be  granted  by  him  ? '  to  whom  the 
generall  answered  with  reasons  folloAving  : 

'  1 .  Her  Maiesties  mutuall  lone.' 

'  2.  Her  worthiness  in  protecting  others  against  the  King 
of  Spaine,  the  common  enemie  of  these  parts.' 

'■  3.  Her  noble  mind  which  refused  the  offer  of  those 
countries.' 

'4.  Nor  will  shee  suffer  any  prince  to  exceed  her  in 
kindness.' 

'5.  Whose  forces  haue  exceeded  the  Spaniards  in  many 
victories.' 

'  G.  And  hindered  the  Portugals  attempts  against  these 
parts.' 

'  7.  The  Grand  Signer  of  Turkie  hath  alreadie  entred  into 
league  with  her  Maiestie  on  honorable  conditions.' 

G 


82  Lancaster's  demands  for  a  treaty. 

'  Beasons  of  another  land  :' 

'  8.  More  ouer,  it  is  not  unknowne  to  the  king  what  pros- 
peretie  trade  of  merchandise  briugeth  to  all  lands,  with 
increase  of  their  reuenues,  by  the  custome  of  these  com- 
merces/ 

'  9.  Also  princes  grow  into  the  more  renowme  and  strength, 
and  are  the  more  feared  for  the  wealth  of  their  subiects, 
which  by  the  concurse  of  merchandises  grow  and  increase.' 

'  10.  And  the  more  kindly  that  strangers  are  entertained, 
the  more  trade  doth  grow  ;  the  prince  is  thereby  much 
emnched  also.' 

'11.  As  for  Achem,  in  particular,  this  port  lieth  well  to 
answere  to  the  trade  of  all  Bengala,  Java,  and  the  Moluccas, 
and  all  China.  And  these  places  hauing  vent  of  their  mer- 
chandise, will  not  let  to  resort  hither  with  them  ;  so  that, 
by  this  meanes,  the  royaltie  of  the  kings  crowne  will  greatly 
increase,  to  the  decrease  and  diminishing  of  all  Portugals 
trade,  and  their  great  forces  in  the  Indies.' 

'12.  And  if  it  shall  happen  that  his  Maiestie  wanteth  any 
artificiers,  hee  may  haue  them  out  of  our  kingdome,  giuing 
them  content  for  their  trauaile  :  and  free  course  to  goe  as 
they  haue  good  will  to  come.  And  any  other  necessarie 
that  our  countrie  bringeth  forth  and  may  spare,  shall  be  at 
the  king's  command  and  seruice. 

But  I  hope  his  Maiestie  will  not  vrge  any  demands  more 
than  her  Maiestie  may  willingly  consent  unto,  or  that  shall 
be  contrarie  to  her  honour  and  lawes,  and  the  league  she 
hath  made  with  all  Christian  princes,  her  neighbours. 

Further,  the  generall  demanded  that  his  Maiestie  would 
cause  present  proclamation  to  be  made  for  our  safetie,  and 
that  none  of  his  people  should  abuse  any  of  ours  :  but  that 
they  might  doe  their  businesse  quietly.  And  this  last  r-equest 
was  so  well  performed  that,  although  there  were  a  strict 
order  that  none  of  there  owne  people  might  walke  by  night. 


REPLY    OF    TFTE    KING    OV    ACIIIN.  83 

yet  ours  might  goe  botli  night  and  day  without  impeach- 
ment of  any.  Onely,  if  they  found  any  of  ours  abroad  at 
vnlawfnll  houres,  the  justice  brought  them  home  to  the 
general's  house,  and  there  deliuered  them. 

After  these  conferences  ended  the  bishop  demanded  of 
the  generall  notes  of  his  reasons  in  writing,  as  also  of  his 
demands  of  the  priuiledges  he  demanded  in  her  Maiestie's 
name  for  the  merchants,  and  he  would  shew  them  to  the 
king,  and  within  few  dayes  he  should  haue  his  Maiestie's 
answere  to  them.  And  with  these  conferences  and  much 
gratulation,  and  with  some  other  talke  of  the  affaires  of 
Christendom e,  they  ^roke  vp  for  that  time. 

The  generall  was  not  negligent  to  send  his  demands  to 
the  noble  men,  which,  for  the  most  part,  were  di'awne  out 
before  hand,  for  he  was  not  vnreadie  for  these  businesses 
before  he  came  aland  in  the  kingdome. 

At  his  next  going  to  the  Court,  and  sitting  before  the 
king,  beholding  the  cock-fighting  (which  is  one  of  the 
greatest  sports  this  king  delighteth  in),  hee  sent  his  inter- 
preter with  his  obeisance  to  the  king,  desiring  him  to  be 
mindfull  of  the  businesse,  whereof  hee  had  conferred  with 
his  noblemen.  Whereupon  he  called  the  generall  vnto 
him,  and  told  him  that  hee  was  carefuU  of  his  dispatch, 
and  would  willingly  enter  into  peace  and  league  with 
her  Maiestie,  and  (for  his  part)  would  hold  it  truely. 
And  for  those  demands  and  articles  he  had  set  downe  in 
writing  they  should  all  bee  written  again  by  one  of  his 
secretaries,  and  should  haue  them  authorized  by  him. 
Which  within  fine  or  six  dayes  were  deliuered  the  generall 
by  the  king's  owne  hands  with  many  good  and  gracious 
words :  the  tenor  of  which  league  and  Articles  of  Peace 
are  too  long  to  be  inserted.  According  to  their  desires 
was  to  the  English  granted  :  first,  free  entry  and  trade  ; 
secondly,  custome  free,  whatsoeuer  they  brought  in  or 
carried  forth,  and  assistance  with  their  vessels  and  shipping 

g2 


84  THE  SUSAN  SENT  TO  PRIAMAN. 

to  saue  our  ships,  goods,  and  men  from  wracke  in  any  dan- 
gers. Thirdly,  libertie  of  testament  to  bequeath  their 
goods  to  whom  they  please :  Fourthly,  stability  of  bar- 
gaines  and  orders  for  payment  by  the  subiects  of  Achem, 
etc.  Fiftly,  authority  to  execute  iustice  on  their  owne  men 
offending.  Sixtly,  iustice  against  iniuries  from  the  natiues. 
Seuenthly,  not  to  arrest  or  stay  our  goods  or  set  prizes  on 
them.  Eightly,  freedome  of  conscience.  This  league  of 
peace  and  amitie  being  settled,  the  merchants  continually 
went  forward  prouiding  pepper  for  the  lading  of  the  ships ; 
but  there  came  in  but  small  store,  in  respect  of  the  last 
yeere's  sterility.  So  by  some  of  them  he  vnderstood  of  a 
port,  about  an  hundred  and  fiftie  leagues  from  thence  in 
the  south  part  of  the  same  iland,  called  Priamau,^  where  he 
might  lade  one  of  his  smaller  ships.  Then  he  prepared  the 
Susan,  and  placed  for  captaine  and  chiefe  merchant  in  her, 
Mr.  Henry  Middleton.^ 

He  was  also  not  a  little  grieued  that  Captaine  John 
Dauis,^  his  principall  pilot,  had  told  the  marchants  before  our 
comming  from  London,  that  pepper  was  to  be  had  here  for 

•  Priaraan,  on  the  west  coast  of  Sumatra,  is  in  lat.  0°  40'  S.,  and  long. 
100°  7'  25"  E.  It  is  an  open  roadstead,  sheltered  by  coral-bound  islets. 
It  appears  that  Priaman  and  Tiku  were  the  principal  ports  for  pepper ; 
and  that  the  King  of  Achin  expeUed  the  English  and  Dutch  from  their 
settlements  there,  from  fear  that  they  would  attempt  to  seize  the  country. 
This  was  previous  to  the  year  1621.  In  1684  the  chiefs  of  Priaman  in- 
vited the  English  to  settle  there,  and  offered  them  the  exclusive  pur- 
chase of  their  pepper,  with  a  view  to  obtaining  their  aid  against  the 
Dutch.  But  a  similar  invitation  came  from  Beucoolen,  further  to  the 
south,  and  there  our  chief  settlement  was  formed  in  1686.  (See  Mars- 
den's  Sumatra,  pp.  442  and  451.) 

*  Commander  of  the  subsequent  voyage  of  1604. — See  The  Voyage  of 
Sir  Henry  Middkton  (Hakluyt  Society's  Edition,  1855).  Middleton 
was  a  native  of  Chester. 

3  John  Davis,  the  great  Arctic  Navigator,  had  previously  been  a 
voyage  to  the  East  Indies  in  a  Dutch  ship  which  sailed  from  Flushing 
in  March  1593,  and  returned  to  Middelburg  on  July  23rd,  1600.  He 
was  the  first  pilot  that  conducted  the  Zeelanders  to  the  East. 


PORTUGALL    WILES    DISCOVKREU.  85 

foure  Spanish  royals  of  eight  the  hundred,  and  it  costs 
vs  ahuost  twentie.  The  generall  daily  grew  full  of  thought 
how  to  lade  his  shippes  to  saue  his  owne  credit,  the  mer- 
chants' estimation  that  set  him  aworke,  and  the  reputa- 
tion of  his  conntrey:  considering  what  a  foule  blot  it  would 
be  to  them  all  in  regard  of  the  nations  about  vs,  seeing 
there  were  merchandise  enough  to  be  bought  in  the  Indies, 
yet  he  should  be  likely  to  return  home  with  empty  ships. 

Besides,  the  Portugall  embassador  had  a  diligent  eye  ouer 
euery  steppe  we  trode,  but  was  no  whit  accepted  of  the 
king.  For  the  last  day  of  his  being  at  the  Court  he  had  de- 
manded of  the  king  to  settle  a  factorie  in  his  countrey  and 
to  build  a  fort  at  the  coming  in  of  the  harbour  :  his  reason 
was  for  the  more  securitie  of  the  merchants'  goods,  because 
the  citie  was  subiect  to  fire.  But  the  king  perceiuing  what 
he  meant,  gaue  him  this  answer  backe  againe  :  Hath  your 
master  (saith  he)  a  daughter  to  giue  unto  my  sonne  that  he 
is  so  carefull  of  the  preser nation  of  my  countrey  ?  He 
shall  not  neede  to  be  at  so  greate  a  charge  as  the  building 
of  a  fort,  for  I  have  a  fit  house  about  two  leagues  from  the 
citie  within  the  land,  which  I  will  spare  him  to  supply  his 
factorie  withall,  where  they  shall  not  need  to  fear  either 
enemies  or  fire,  for  I  will  protect  him.  Hereupon  the 
king  was  much  displeased  at  this  insolent  demand,  and  the 
embassadour  went  from  the  Court  much  discontented. 


§  nil. 

Portugall  wiles  discouered  ;  a  prize  taken  ueere  Malacca. 

Shortly  after  this  there  jcame  to  our  house  an  Indian  (to 
sell  hennes)  which  was  appertaining  to  a  Portugall  captaine 
who  came  to  that  port  with  a  ship  laden  with  rice,  out  of 
the  port  of  Bengala.     This  captaine  lay  in  the  embassador's 


86  A    SPY    ON    THE    PORTUGALLS. 

house,  and  the  generall  mistrusted  he  came  only  for  a  spy 
to  see  and  perceiue  what  we  did^  and  yet  he  gave  com- 
mandement  he  should  be  well  intreated^  and  they  should 
alwayes  buy  his  hennes  and  giue  him  a  reasonable  price  for 
them.  At  last  he  himselfe  tooke  occasion  pleasantly  to  com- 
mune with  the  Indian^  whence  hee  was  and  of  what  countrey ; 
saying,  a  young  man  of  his  presence  merited  some  better 
meannes  than  buying  and  selling  of  hennes.  Sir,  said  he, 
I  serue  this  Portugall  captaine,  yet  am  neither  bound  nor 
free ;  but  being  free  borne,  I  haue  beene  with  him  so  long 
time  that  now  he  partly  esteem eth  me  as  his  owne,  and  so 
great  they  are  that  wee  cannot  striue  with  them.  Then 
said  the  generall  vnto  him  :  If  thy  liberty  be  precious  vnto 
thee,  thy  person  meriteth  it.  But  what  wouldst  thou  doe 
for  him  that  would  giue  thee  thy  libertie  without  pleading 
with  thy  master  for  it  ?  Sir,  said  the  Indian,  freedom  is  as 
precious  as  life,  and  my  life  I  would  aduenture  for  him  that 
should  doe  it.  Prooue  me  therefore  in  any  seruice  that  I 
can  doe  for  you,  and  my  willingnesse  shall  soone  make  good 
what  I  haue  said.  Well,  said  the  generall,  thou  hast  willed 
me  to  prooue  whether  thou  meanest  truely  or  no.  I  would 
aske  of  thee,  what  the  embassador  saith  of  me  and  my 
shipping  which  I  haue  in  this  place,  and  what  pretences  he 
hath  ?  Sir,  said  the  Indian,  he  hath  had  a  spie  aboord  of 
all  your  ships,  a  Chinese,  who  is  continually  conuersant 
with  your  people,  so  that  he  hath  a  di'aught  drawne,  not 
onely  of  your  ships  and  their  greatnesse,  but  also  of  euery 
piece  of  ordnance  that  each  ship  hath  and  how  they  are 
placed,  and  the  number  of  your  men  that  are  in  them. 
And  he  findeth  your  ships  strong  and  well  appointed.  But 
by  reason  of  the  sickenesse  that  hath  been  in  them  they  are 
but  weake  of  men  and  easie  to  be  taken  if  any  force  come 
vpon  them  on  the  suddaine,  and  within  few  days  he 
meaneth  to  send  his  draughts  to  Malacca  for  force  to 
attempt  your    ships    as   they  ride.      The  general   laughed 


THE    PORTDGALLS    CIRCUMVENTED,  87 

pleasantly  to  heave  these  things,  saying  :  The  embassador 
was  not  so  idle  as  he  thought  him,  for  hee  well  knoweth 
(said  he)  that  I  care  little  for  all  the  forces  of  these  parts. 
It  is  but  to  make  thee  and  the  rest  that  are  about  him  be- 
leeue  that  you  are  stronger  than  you  be.  But  goe  thy  way 
and  be  here  once  in  a  day  or  twaine  and  tell  me  whether 
the  embassadour  goe  forward  in  his  proceedings,  and 
when  those  messengers  shall  depart  with  the  plots  thou 
speakest  of.  And  although  it  will  benefit  me  little  to 
know  these  things,  yet  I  will  giue  thee  thy  libertie  for  thy 
good  will  thou  shewest  therein  as  I  haue  promised  thee  to 
doe.  This  Indian  went  away  very  well  contented^  as  any 
man  might  easily  perceiue  by  his  countenance  and  the  light- 
nesse  of  his  face.  Now,  when  he  was  gone,  the  generall 
turned  about  and  said  to  me ;  We  have  met  with  a  fit  man 
to  betray  his  master  if  we  can  make  any  benefit  of  the 
treason.  And  surely  he  was  not  deceiued  in  his  opinion  : 
for  by  this  meanes  whatsoeuer  the  ambassadour  did  all  the 
day  we  had  it  either  that  night  or  (at  the  furthest)  the 
next  day  in  the  morning.  And  this  fellow  carried  the 
matter  so  warily  that  he  was  neither  mistrusted  of  any  of 
the  ambassadour's  house,  nor  knowne  to  any  of  ours  what 
businesse  he  went  about.  For  he  had  the  right  conditions 
of  a  spie,  being  wily,  fearefull,  carefull,  subtill,  and  ueuer 
trusting  any  to  heare  what  confei'ence  he  had  with  the 
generall,  but  deliuered  his  minde  vnto  him  alone,  and  that 
in  such  cai'elesse  sort  as  if  he  had  answered  the  generall 
idlely  whatsoeuer  he  demanded  of  him  :  for  he  stood  in 
feare  of  his  owne  people  least  they  would  bewray  the  selling 
of  his  hennes,  which  couered  all  his  comming  and  going 
to  our  house. 

The  next  day  the  generall  was  sent  for  to  the  Court,  and 
the  king  had  conference  with  him  about  an  embassage  that 
the  King  of  Siam  had  sent  him  touching  the  conquest  of 
Malacca,  and  with  what  force  he  would  assist  him  by  sea  if 


055  DETENTION    OF    PORTUGALL    MESSENGERS. 

he  uudertooke  that  seruice.  For  this  King  of  Sumatra  is 
able  to  put  a  very  great  force  of  gallies  to  sea  if  he  may 
haue  but  some  fourre  or  fiue  monethes  warning  before-hand 
to  make  them  ready.  This  conference  the  generall  fur- 
thered with  many  reasons,  and  tooke  an  occasion  to  enter 
into  talke  of  the  Spanish  embassadour  how  insolently  proud 
he  carried  himself,  and  that  his  comming  into  his  Maiestie's 
kingdome  and  Court  was  for  no  other  purpose  but  onely  as 
a  spie  to  see  and  discouer  the  strength  of  his  kingdome. 
I  know  it  well  (said  the  king)  for  they  are  enemies  of 
mine  as  I  haue  beene  to  them;  but  what  causeth  thee  to  see 
this  ?  The  generall  answered  him  :  That  he  could  take 
nothing  in  hand  but  his  spies  attended  vpon  him  to  marke 
what  he  went  about  and  to  what  ende.  And  among  other 
things  (saith  he)  he  had  taken  a  draught  of  his  ships  and 
meaneth  to  send  it  to  Malacca,  and  to  procure  forces  to  set 
vpon  him  vnawares.  The  king  smiled  to  heare  the  generall 
mention  these  things  and  said  :  Thou  needest  not  feare  any 
strength  that  shall  come  from  Malacca,  for  all  the  strength 
they  haue  there  is  able  to  doe  thee  no  harme.  The  generall 
answered,  I  doe  not  (said  he)  feare  their  strength  what 
they  can  doe  to  me,  but  it  may  be  much  to  my  hinderance 
that  they  vnderstanding  the  time  I  meane  to  goe  to  sea 
they  shall  thereby  bee  aduised  to  keepe  themselues  within 
their  ports  so  that  I  shall  not  be  able  to  offend  them.  Is  it 
so,  said  the  king  ?  Yea,  said  the  generall,  and  therefore  I 
would  intreate  your  Maiestie  to  make  stay  of  two  of  the  em- 
bassador's seruants  that  are  now  going  to  Malacca  within 
these  few  dayes,  who  take  not  their  passage  from  hence, 
but  will  goe  to  another  port  of  yours  and  there  hire  a 
barks  to  transport  them  thence,  because  they  will  be  sure 
not  to  be  intercepted.  And  if  your  Maiestie  intercept 
them  there  you  shall  be  priuy  to  some  of  their  plots  and 
pretences.  Well,  said  the  king,  let  me  understand  of  their 
departure  from  hence  and  thou  shalt  see  what  I  will  doe 


DETENTION  OF  THE  PORTUGALL  ENVOY.         89 

for  thee.  So  the  g-enevall  tooke  his  leaue  of  the  king  well 
contented,  and  had  daily  conference  with  his  merchant  that 
sold  hennes :  so  that  there  was  not  any  thing  done  or  said 
in  the  embassadour^s  house  but  he  was  priuy  to  it. 

Now  the  time  was  come  that  the  embassador's  two  ser- 
uants  were  to  depart  with  their  plots  and  their  master's 
letters  :  and  they  went  down  to  a  port  about  fiue  and 
twentie  leagues  from  Achen.  But  the  generall  was  not 
slacke  to  aduise  the  king  thereof,  who  had  giuen  order 
before,  so  that  at  their  comming  thither,  and  when  they  had 
hired  their  passage  and  had  embarked  themselues  with  all 
their  letters,  and  were  going  oner  the  barre,  a  mile  from 
the  citie,  a  frigget  went  after  them  and  caused  the  barke  to 
strike  sayle,  that  the  justice  might  see  what  their  lading 
was.  And  when  the  justice  came  aboord  and  saw  two  Por- 
tugals  there,  he  asked  them  from  whence  they  came  and 
whither  they  were  going :  they  answered.  They  came  from 
Achem  and  belonged  to  the  Portugall  embassadour.  Nay, 
said  the  justice,  but  you  haue  robbed  your  master  and  runne 
away  like  theeves  with  his  goods  :  and  therefore  I  will 
returne  you  againe  to  him  from  whom  you  are  fled  and 
there  you  shall  answer  it.  But  in  this  hurly-burly  and 
searching  of  them  they  lost  their  plots  and  their  letters, 
and  their  trunkes  were  broken  open  ;  and  they  were  sent  to 
Achem  bound  backe  againe  to  the  Courts  to  be  deliuered  to 
the  embassador  if  they  did  belong  vnto  him.  The  generall 
had  some  intelligence  of  these  things,  and  the  next  time 
he  came  to  the  Court  the  king  called  him  vnto  him  and 
said  ;  Now,  what  sayest  thou,  art  thou  contented  ?  The 
generall  made  him  obeisance  and  gave  him  humble  and 
heartie  thanks  for  his  clemencie  and  kindnesse  towards 
him  :  and  with  some  other  conference  the  generall  departed 
for  that  time.  The  marchant  of  hennes  came  daily  follow- 
ing his  merchandize,  and  as  the  generall  suspected,  and  he 
himselfe   afterwards    confessed,    not    without    his    master's 


90  TWO    ENGLISH    MERCHANTS    REMAIN    AT    ACHIN. 

consent,  to  aduise  from  us  as  well  as  he  aduised  from  his 
master. 

But  now  the  summer  was  past  and  September  came,  the 
time  that  the  generall  meant  to  goe  to  sea  to  seeke  meanes 
to  supply  his  necessities ;  and  now  fell  out  the  greatest 
crosse  of  all  to  his  pretence.  The  embassador  himselfe  had 
his  dispatch  from  the  king  to  be  gone.  Which  the  generall 
knowing  went  to  the  Court,  and  where  the  king  sate  seeing 
the  sports  that  were  made  before  him,  he  sent  his  inter- 
preter to  him,  desiring  that  it  would  please  him  to  hear  a 
certain  request  which  he  had  vnto  his  Maiestie.  Where- 
upon the  king  immediately  called  for  him  and  demanded 
what  he  would  haue  him  to  doe.  It  hath  pleased  your 
highnesse,  said  the  generall,  to  doe  me  many  courtesies,  and 
therefore  I  am  further  imboldened  to  proceed  to  request 
one  kindnesse  more  at  your  Maiestie's  hands.  What  is 
that  (said  the  king  smiling)  are  there  more  Portugals  going 
to  Malacca  to  hinder  thy  pretences  ?  Yea,  said  the  gene- 
rall, the  embassadour  himselfe  (as  I  am  giuen  to  vnder- 
stand)  hath  your  Maiestie's  dispatch  to  be  gone  at  his  plea- 
sure, and  is  determined  to  depart  within  fine  dayes.  And 
what  wouldst  thou  haue  me  to  doe,  said  the  king  ?  Only 
stay  him  but  tenne  dayes,  till  I  be  gone  forth  with  my 
ships.  Well,  said  the  king  and  laughed,  thou  must  bring 
me  a  faire  Portugall  maiden  when  thou  returnest,  and  then 
I  am  pleased.  With  ''this  answer  the  generall  took  his 
leaue  and  departed ;  and  hasted  all  that  he  could  to  be 
gone.  For  he  had  left  the  merchants  behind  him  and 
vnder  the  protection  of  the  king  till  his  returue  :  and  in 
the  meane  time  to  buy  what  pepper  they  could  to  helpe 
to  furnish  the  Ascention's  lading,  which  was  now  more 
than  three  parts  laden.  But  the  geuerall  would  not  leaue 
her  behind  him,  riding  in  the  port,  but  tooke  her  in  his 
company :  for  she  road  but  in  an  open  place.  All  the 
three  ships  were  made  readie,  and  there  was  a  captaine  of 


CAPTURE  OP  A  PORTUGALL  SHIP.  91 

a  Dutch  ship  in  the  road,  who  desired  the  generall  that 
ho  might  goo  to  sea  in  "his  company  and  take  part  of  his 
aduentiire ;  his  ship  was  above  two  hundred  tunnes,  but 
had  as  little  money  to  lade  himselfe  as  we  ;  and  therefore  re- 
fused no  cousox't.  So  the  generall  was  contented  to  giue  him 
•^  of  what  should  be  taken,  and  hee  rested  therewith  con- 
tented. The  generall  hauing  taken  his  leaue  of  the  king  and 
presented  two  of  the  chiefe  merchants  vnto  him,  M.  Starkie 
and  M.  Styles,  the  king  graciously  tooke  them  into  his  pro- 
tection and  safeguard  :  for  these  merchants,  with  some 
others,  were  left  behind  (as  I  said  before)  for  the  prouiding 
of  such  pepper  as  was  there  to  be  had  against  the  returne 
of  the  ships  from  the  sea.  The  ships  being  ready,  we  set 
sayle  the  eleuenth  of  September  toward  the  Straights  of 
Malaca. 

Now  let  me  tell  you  how  the  king  dealt  with  the  embas- 
sadour  of  Portugall  after  our  departure,  which  euery  day 
vrged  his  dispatch  to  be  gone  :  but  stilly  vpon  one  occasion 
or  other  his  passage  was  deferred.  At  last  (foure  and 
twentie  daies  after  our  departure)  the  king  said  vnto  him  : 
I  maruaile  you  are  so  hasty  to  be  gone,  seeing  the  English 
embassadour  is  abroad  at  sea  with  his  shipping  ?  If  he 
meete  you  he  will  be  able  to  wrong  you  and  doe  you  vio- 
lence. I  care  little  for  him,  said  the  embassadour,  for  my 
friget  is  so  nimble  with  saile  and  oares  that  if  I  haue  but 
her  length  from  him,  I  will  escape  all  his  force.  Well,  said 
the  King :  I  am  the  more  willing  you  should  depart,  be- 
cause I  see  you  rest  assured  of  your  owne  safety  :  and  so 
he  had  his  dispatch  to  be  gone.  This  seruice  came  well  to 
passe  for  vs,  for  if  he  had  gone  away  in  time  such  aduice 
would  haue  beene  giuen  from  Malacca  by  frigots  into  the 
Straights,  that  all  shippes  would  haue  had  warning  of  vs  : 
but  (by  this  meanes)  we  lay  within  hue  and  twentie  leagues 
of  Malacca  it  selfe,  and  were  neuer  descryed  whereby  to  be 
preuented.     The  third  day   of  October,   we  being  in  the 


92  THE    PORTUGALL    PRIZE. 

Straights  of  Malacca^  laying  off  and  on,  the  Hector  espyed 
a  sayle,  and  calling  to  the  rest  of  the  shippes,  we  all  dis- 
cried  her.  And  being  toward  night  a  present  direction 
was  giuen  that  we  should  all  spread  our  selues  a  mile  and  a 
halfe  one  from  another,  that  she  might  not  passe  vs  in  the 
night.  The  shippe  fell  with  the  Hector,  that  first  espied 
her,  and  presently  she  called  vnto  her,  and  shot  off  two  or 
three  peeces  of  oi'dnance  :  so  that  the  rest  of  the  shippes 
had  intelligence  and  drew  all  about  her,  and  began  to 
attempt  her  with  their  great  ordnance,  and  she  returned 
shot  againe.  But  when  the  admiral's  ship  came  vp,  he  dis- 
charged sixe  peeces  together  out  of  his  pi-ow  :  and  then  her 
maine  yarde  fell  downe.  After  that  she  shot  no  more,  nor 
any  of  our  shippes,  fearing  least  some  vnfortunate  shot 
might  light  betweene  wind  and  water  and  so  sinke  her  (for 
the  generall  was  very  carefullj,  so  the  fight  ceased  till  the 
morning.  At  the  breake  of  day  the  captaine,  with  some  of 
the  rest,  entred  their  boate,  and  the  Hector,  being  next 
her,  called  them  tp  come  aboord  him  ;  and  Master  John 
Middleton,  the  captaine,  being  vice-admirall,  brought  the 
boate  and  captaine  aboord  the  generall,  to  whom  they  ren- 
dered their  shippe  and  goods.  The  generall  presently 
caused  all  the  chiefe  men  of  the  prize  to  be  placed  aboord 
our  shippes,  and  onely  placed  but  foure  of  our  men  aboord 
the  prize  :  for  feare  of  rifling  and  pillaging  the  good  things 
that  were  within  her ;  and  those  foure  suffered  none  other 
to  come  aboord.  And  their  charge  was,  if  anything 
should  be  missing  to  answer  the  same  out  of.  their  wages 
and  shares  :  for  when  the  shippe  was  unladen  the  boat- 
swaine  and  the  mariners  of  the  same  shippe  did  wholly  vn- 
lade  her,  and  none  of  ours  came  within  her  to  doe  any 
labour.  Onely  they  receiued  the  goods  into  their  boates 
and  carried  them  aboord  such  shippes  as  the  generall 
appointed  them  to  doe  :  so  that  by  this  order  there  was 
neither    rifling,    theeuing,    pillaging,    or    spoiling,    which 


A    GREAT    SPOUT    OF    WATER.  93 

otherwise  would  hardly  haue  boon  auoyded  in  such  busi- 
nesse  as  this.  Within  fine  or  sixe  daies  we  had  vnladen 
her  of  nine  hundred  and  fiftie  packes  of  calicoes  and  pin- 
tados, besides  many  packets  of  mei'chandize  :  she  had  in 
her  much  rice  and  other  goods,  whereof  we  made  fall 
account.  Now  a  stoi'me  arising,  all  the  men  were  set 
aboordj  and  we  left  her  riding  at  an  anchor.  This  shippe 
came  from  a  place  called  St.  Thoma^  that  lyeth  in  the  Bay 
of  Bengala,  and  was  going  for  Malacca.  When  we  inter- 
cepted her  she  had  in  her  aboue  sixe  hundred  persons, 
men,  women,  and  children  :  her  burthen  was  nine  hundred 
tuns.  The  generall  would  neuer  goe  aboord  to  see  her,  and 
his  reason  was,  to  take  away  suspicion  both  from  the  mari- 
ners that  were  there  and  the  merchants  that  were  at  Lon- 
don, least  they  might  charge  or  suspect  him  for  any  dis- 
honest dealing  by  helping  himselfe  thereby.  He  was  very 
glad  of  this  good  help  and  very  thankfull  to  God  for  it,  and 
as  he  told  me,  he  was  much  bound  to  God  that  had  eased 
him  of  a  very  heauy  care,  and  that  hee  could  not  be  thank- 
full  enough  to  him  for  this  blessing  giuen  him.  For,  saitli 
he,  he  hath  not  only  supplied  my  necessities  to  lade  these 
ships  I  haue  :  but  hath  giuen  me  as  much  as  will  lade  as 
many  more  shippes  as  I  haue  if  I  had  them  to  lade.  So 
that  now  my  care  is  not  for  money,  but  rather  where  I  shall 
leaue  these  goods  that  I  haue,  more  than  enough,  in  safety, 
till  the  returne  of  the  ships  out  of  England. 

The  one  and  twentieth  of  October  our  shippes  returned 
out  of  the  Sti'aights  of  Malacca  for  Achem,  where  by  the  way 
a  great  spout  of  water  came  powring  out  of  the  Heauens  and 
fell  not  farre  from  our  ship,  which  we  feared  much.  For 
these  spouts  come  powring  downe  like  a  riuer  of  water^  so 
that  if  they  should  light  in  any  ship  she  were  in  danger  to 
be  presently  sunck  downe  into  the  sea  :  it  falleth  with  such 
an  extreame  violence,  all  whole  together  as  one  drop,  or  as 
water  powred  out  of  a  vessell  :    and  sometimes   dureth  a 


94  KETURN  OF  LANCASTER  TO  ACHIN. 

quarter  of  an  howre  together^  so  that  the  sea  boyleth  with 
froth  of  an  exceeding  height  by  the  violence  of  the  fall  of 
the  spoute. 


Their  present  to  and  from  the  King  :  His  letters  to  Queeue  Elizabeth  : 
Their  departure  from  Priaman  and  Bantam,  and  settling  a  trade 
there. 

The  foure  and  twentieth  of  October  we  cast  our  anchors 
in  the  Port  of  Achem  in  Sumatra,  where  the  generall  went 
ashore  and  found  all  the  merchants  well  and  in  safety :  who 
gaue  great  commendations  of  their  good  and  kind  enter- 
tainment receiued  from  the  king  in  the  general's  absence. 
Wherefore  the  generall,  willing  to  gratifie  the  king  with 
such  things  as  he  had  taken  in  the  prize,  sorted  out  a  present 
of  diuers  things  that  he  thought  might  be  most  to  his  liking: 
and  at  his  first  going  to  the  Court  presented  them  vnto 
him.  The  king  receiued  the  present  and  welcomed  the 
generall,  and  seemed  to  be  ioyfull  for  the  good  successe  he 
had  against  the  Portugal  :  and  iestingly  said,  he  had  for- 
gotten the  most  important  businesse  that  he  requested 
at  his  hands,  which  was  the  faire  Portugal!  maiden  he  de- 
sired him  to  bring  with  him  at  his  retume.  To  whom  the 
generall  answered  :  that  there  was  none  so  worthy  that 
merited  to  be  so  presented.  Therewithal!  the  king  smiled 
and  said :  If  there  be  any  thing  heere  in  my  kingdome 
may  p!easure  thee,  1  would  be  glad  to  gratifie  thy  good 
will.  After  tliis  the  general!  commaunded  tlie  merchants  to 
put  aboord  the  Ascention  all  such  pepper,  cinnamon,  and 
clones  as  they  had  bought  in  his  absence :  which  was 
scarcely  the  ship's  full  lading,  but  at  that  time  there  was 
no  more  to  be  had,  nor  that  yeare  to  be  hoped  for.  .  And 
therefore  he  willed  the  merchants  to  put  all  their  things 
aboord  the  ships,   for   his   resolution  was    to   depart  from 


LETTER    OF    THE    KING    OF    ACHIN.  95 

thciiCG  and  goe  for  Bantam  in  Java  maior,  where  he  vnder- 
stood  both  of  good  sale  for  his  commodities  and  great  re- 
tnrne  of  pepper  to  be  had,  and  at  a  much  more  reasonable 
price  than  they  could  buy  it  at  Achem.  This  determination 
once  knowne  all  men  hasten  to  put  their  things  aboord.  So 
the  generall  made  the  king  priuy  to  his  departure,  and  went 
to  the  court  and  had  long  conference  with  him,  who  de- 
liuered  him  a  letter  for  her  Maiestie,  written  in  the  Arabian 
tongue  :  the  tenor  wereof  is  as  followeth. 

TJic  Letter  of  the  King  of  Achem.  to  the  Queene  of 
England. 

Glorie  be  to  God,  who  hath  magnified  himselfe  in  his 
workes,  glorified  his  dominion,  ordained  kings  and  king- 
domes,  exalted  himselfe  alone  in  power  and  maiestie  :  he  is 
not  to  be  uttered  by  word  of  mouth,  nor  to  be  conceived  by 
imagination  of  the  heart,  he  is  no  vaine  phantasme  :  no 
bound  may  containe  him,  nor  any  similitude  expresse  him  : 
his  blessing  and  his  peace  is  oner  all  his  goodnesse  in  the 
creature  :  He  hath  beene  proclaimed  by  his  Prophet  hereto- 
fore, and  since  that  often,  and  now  againe  by  this  writing 
at  this  present,  inferiour  to  none.  For  this  citie  which  is 
not  slacke  to  shew  their  lone,  hath  manifested  it  in  the  en- 
tertainment of  that  societie  which  filleth  the  horizons  with 
ioy,  and  hath  confirmed  it  to  the  eye  by  a  signe  which 
bringeth  knowledge  of  remembrance  of  it  generally  and 
particularly.  And  for  that  their  request  is  iust,  with  pur- 
pose for  exchange  :  and  they  themselues  of  honest  carriage, 
and  their  kindnesse  great  in  doing  good  in  generall  to  the 
creatures,  helping  the  creature  in  prosperitie  and  aduersitie 
ioyently,  giuing  liberally  vnto  the  poore  and  such  as  stand  in 
neede  of  their  abundance,  preseruing  the  creature  to  their 
vttermost  with  a  willing  mind  :  which  for  them  is  now  ex- 
tended vnto  India  and  Arach  :  sending  forth  the  chiefest 


96  LETTER    OF    THE    KING    OP    ACHIN. 

men  of  discretion  and  note,  calling  also  the  best  of  tlie  crea- 
tures to  counsaile  herein. 

This  is  the  Sultana  which  doth  rule  in  the  kiugdome  of 
England^  France,  Ireland,  Holland,  and  Friseland  :  God 
continue  that  kingdome  and  that  empire  long  in  pros- 
peritie. 

And  because  that  he  which  hath  obtained  the  writing  of 
these  letters  from  the  king  of  the  kingdome  of  Achey,  who 
doth  rule  with  an  absolute  power  :  and  for  that  there  came 
vnto  vs  a  good  report  of  you,  declaired  and  spread  very 
ioyfully  by  the  mouth  of  Captaine  James  Lancaster  (God 
continue  his  welfare  long).  And  for  that  you  doe  record 
that  in  your  letters  there  are  commendations  vnto  vs  and 
that  your  letters  are  patent  priuiledges.  Almightie  God 
aduance  the  purpose  of  this  honourable  consociation  and 
confirme  this  worthy  league.  And  for  that  you  doe  affirm 
in  them  that  the  Sultan  of  Afrangie  is  your  enemy,  and  an 
enemy  to  your  people,  in  what  place  soeuer  he  be,  from  the 
first  untill  now,  and  for  that  he  hath  lift  vp  himselfe 
proudly  and  set  himselfe  as  king  of  the  world:  yet  what  is 
he  besides  his  exceeding  pride  and  haughtie  mind  ?  In 
this  therefore  is  our  ioy  increased  and  our  societie  con- 
firmed :  for  that  he  and  his  company  are  enemies  in  this 
world  and  in  the  world  to  come :  so  that  we  shall  cause  them 
to  die,  in  what  place  soeuer  we  shall  meete  them,  a  publicke 
death. 

And  moreouer  you  doe  affirm  that  you  desire  peace  and 
friendship  with  vs.  To  God  be  praise  and  thankes  for  the 
greatnesse  of  his  grace.  This  thei^efore  is  our  serious  will 
and  honourable  pui'pose  truely  in  this  writing,  that  you  may 
send  from  your  people  unto  our  poi'ts  to  trade  and  to  traf- 
fique,and  that  whosoeuer  shall  be  sent  unto  vs  in  your  high- 
nesse  name,  and  to  whomsoeuer  you  shall  prescribe  the 
time,  they  shall  be  of  a  ioynt  company  and  of  common 
priuiledges.     For  this  captaine  and  his  company,  so  soone 


TO    QUEEN    ELIZABETH.  97 

as  tlicy  camo  vuto  vs,  wo  hauo  iiiado  thorn  of  an  absolute 
societie  :  and  we  haue  incorporated  them  into  one  corpora- 
tion and  common  dignities  :  and  we  haue  graunted  them 
Hberties,  and  we  haue  shewed  them  the  best  course  of 
traffique  :  and  to  manifest  vnto  men  the  loue  and  brother- 
hood betweene  vs  and  you  in  this  world,  there  is  sent 
by  the  hands  of  this  captaine,  according  to  the  custome, 
vnto  the  famous  citie,  a  ring  of  gold  beautified  with  a 
ruby,  richly  placed  in  his  sete,  two  vestures  wouen  with 
gold,  embroidered  with  gold,  inclosed  in  a  red  boxe  of 
tzin. 

Written  in  Tarish  of  the  yeere  1011  of  Mahomet.     Peace 
be  vnto  you. 

[Translated  out  of  the  Arabick  by  William  Bedwel.] 

For  a  present  to  her  Maiestie  he  sent  three  faire  cloathes 
richly  wrought  with  gold  of  very  cunning  worke,  and  a 
very  faire  rubie  in  a  ring  :  and  gave  to  the  generall  another 
ring  and  a  rubie  in  it.  And  when  the  generall  tooke  his 
leaue  the  king  said  vnto  him  :  haue  you  the  Psalmes  of 
-David  extant  among  you  ?  The  generall  answered  :  Yea, 
and  we  sing  them  daily.  Then  said  the  king  :  I  and  the 
rest  of  these  nobles  about  me  will  sing  a  Psalme  to  Grod  for 
your  prosperitie,  and  so  they  did  very  solemnly.  And 
after  it  was  ended  the  king  said  :  I  would  heare  you  sing 
another  Psalme,  although  in  your  owne  language.  So 
there  being  in  the  company  some  twelue  of  us,  we  sung 
another  Psalme  :  and  after  the  Psalme  was  ended  the  gene- 
rall tooke  his  leaue  of  the  king.  The  king  shewed  him 
much  kindnesse  at  his  departure  :  desiring  God  to  blesse  vs 
in  our  iourney  and  to  guide  vs  safely  into  our  owne  coun- 
trey,  saying,  if  hereafter  your  ships  returne  to  this  port 
you  shall  find  as  good  vsage  as  you  haue  done.  All  our 
men  being  shipped,  we  departed  the  ninth  of  Nouember, 
being  three  ships,  the  Di-agon,  the  Hector,  and  the  Ascen- 

H 


98  EEFRESHMENT    AT    PRIAMAN. 

tion.  "VVe  kept  company  two  days,  in  wliicli  time  the  gene- 
ral! dispatched  his  letters  for  England^  and  sent  away  the 
Ascention,  she  setting  her  course  homeward  toward  the 
Cape  of  Buena  Esperanza,  and  we  along  the  coast  of  Su- 
matra^  toward  Bantam,  to  see  if  we  could  meete  with  the 
Susan,  which  had  order  to  lade  upon  that  coast. 

As  we  sayled  along  the  coast  of  Sumatra  we  sodainly 
fell  among  certaine  ilands  in  the  night :  and  the  day 
approching  wee  maruelled  how  wee  came  in  among  them 
without  seeing  any  of  them.  They  were  all  low  landed 
and  full  of  flattes  and  rockes,  so  that  wee  were  in  great 
danger  before  we  could  cleei'e  our  selues  of  them ;  but 
thankes  be  to  God,  who  deliuei'ed  vs  from  many  other  dan- 
gers, as  he  did  also  deliuer  vs  from  these.  So  holding  on 
our  course  from  Priaman  we  passed  the  equinoctiall  line 
the  third  time,  and  came  thither  the  sixe  and  twentieth  of 
Nouember  and  found  the  Susan  there,  which  the  generall 
had  sent  before  him  from  Achen  to  lade  there.  Now  when 
they  saw  vs  they  were  very  glad  of  our  comming,  and  had 
prouided  toward  their  lading  some  six  hundred  bahars  of 
pepper,  and  sixtie-sixe  bahars  of  clones.  Heere  our  pepper 
cost  vs  lesse  then  at  Achen  ;  but  there  is  none  growing 
about  this  port,  but  is  brought  some  eight  or  ten  leagues 
out  of  the  countrey  from  a  place  called  Manangcabo.  This 
place  hath  no  other  merchandise  growing  there,  only  there 
is  good  store  of  gold  in  dust  and  small  graines,  which  they 
wash  out  of  the  sands  of  riuei's,  after  the  great  flouds  of 
raine  that  fall  from  the  mountains,  from  whence  it  is 
brought.  This  is  a  place  of  good  refreshing  and  is  very 
wholesome  and  healthfull,  and  yet  it  lyeth  within  fifteene 
Iniuutes  of  the  line.  At  this  port,  hauing  refreshed  our 
selues  with  the  good  ayre,  fresh  victuals,  and  water,  the 
generall  gaue  commission  to  the  captaine  of  the  Susan  to 
make  what  haste  he  could  for  his  lading,  which  would 
bee  accomplished   with    some  hundred  bahars  of   pepper. 


ARRIVAL    AT    BANTAM.  99 

and  so  to  depart  for  England.  And  the  fourth  day  of  De- 
cember we  took  our  course  towards  Bantam/  in  the  iland 
of  lava  maior  :  and  we  entred  the  Straights  of  Sunda  the 
fifteenth  of  December,  and  came  to  an  anchor  vnder  au 
iland,  three  leagues  from  Bantam,  called  Pulopansa. 

The  next  day,  in  the  morning,  we  entred  the  road  of 
Bantam,  and  shot  off  a  very  great  peale  of  ordnance  out  of 
the  Dragon,  being  our  admiral],  and  out  of  the  Hector  : 
such  an  one  as  had  neuer  beene  rung  there  before  that  day. 
The  next  day,  in  the  morning,  the  generall  sent  his  ad- 
mirall,  Captaine  John  Middleton,  a-land  with  a  message  to 
the  king :  declaring  that  he  was  sent  by  the  Queene  of 
England,  and  had  both  a  message  and  a  letter  to  deliuer 
to  his  Maiestie  from  her,  and  required  his  Maiesties  safe 
conduct  and  warrant  to  come  a-land  to  deliuer  the  same. 
The  king  retunied  him  word  that  he  was  very  glad  of  his 
comming-,  and  sent  backe  a  nobleman  with  Captaine  Middle- 
ton,  to  welcome  the  generall  a-laud.  The  general  tooke 
some  sixteen  men  in  his  company  and  went  a-land  with 
the  nobleman  to  the  Court,  where  he  found  the  king  (being 
but  a  child  of  ten  or  eleuen  yeares  of  age)  sitting  in  a 
round-house,  with  some  sixteene  or  eighteen  noblemen  of 
the  countrey  about  him  in  some  reasonable  estate.  The 
generall  did  his  obeysance,  and  the  king  welcomed  him 
very  kindly.  And  after  the  generall  had  had  some  con- 
ference about  his  message,  hee  deliuered  to  the  kings  hand 
her  maiesties  letter,  with  a  present  of  plate  and  some  other 
things  with  all  :  which  the  king  receiued  with  a  smiling 
countenance,  and  referred  the  generall  (for  further  confer- 
ence) to  one  of  his  nobles,  who  was  then  protector.  After 
some  houre  and  a  halfes  conference  had  of  many  things,  the 
said  nobleman  (as  from  the  king)  receiued  the  generall  vnder 

'  The  western  end  of  Java.  Bantam  was  first  visited  by  the  Portu- 
guese in  1511,  when  Henrique  Leme,  cue  of  Alboquerque's  captains, 
anchored  at  the  port.     The  Dutch  first  came  to  Bantam  in  159G. 

H  2 


100  TRADE    AT    BANTAM. 

the  kings  protection,  and  all  his  company :  willing  him  to 
come  a-landj  and  buy  and  sell,  without  any  kind  of  molesta- 
tion, for  there  he  should  be  as  safe  as  if  he  were  in  his  owne 
countrey  :  and  to  this  all  the  nobles  agreed  with  one  con- 
sent. There  passed  many  speeches  of  diuers  things,  which 
(for  breuities  sake)  I  omit  to  trouble  the  reader  with  all : 
for  my  pui^pose  is  to  shew  the  effect  of  this  first  setling  of 
the  trade  in  the  East-Indies,  rather  than  to  particularize  of 
them.  The  generall,  after  his  kind  welcome  and  conference, 
had  tooke  his  leaue  of  the  king  and  the  rest  of  the  nobles  : 
and  presently  gaue  order  for  the  prouiding  of  housing, 
whereof  the  king  willed  him  to  make  his  best  choice  where- 
soeuer  he  would.  So,  within  two  days,  the  merchants 
brought,  goods  ashore,  and  beganne  to  sell  :  but  one  of  the 
kings  nobles  came  to  the  generall,  and  said  it  was  the  cus- 
tome  of  that  place  that  the  king  should  buy  and  furnish 
himselfe  before  the  subiects  should  buy  anything.  The 
generall  was  well  contented,  for  he  was  aduised  that  he 
would  giue  a  reasonable  price,  and  pay  uery  well.  The  king 
being  serued,  the  merchants  went  forward  in  their  sales  : 
so  that  within  some  fine  weekes  much  more  was  sold  there 
in  goods  then  would  haue  laden  our  two  shippes  :  and  yet 
they  brought  away  from  thence  two  hundred  and  seuentie 
sixe  bagges  of  pepper.  These  contayned  sixtie  two  pound 
waight  a  piece,  and  cost  at  first  penny  5.|  rials  of  eight  the 
piece,  beside  our  anchorage,  and  the  kings  custome,  which 
anchorage  for  our  two  ships  cost  vs  (by  agreement  the  gene- 
rall made  with  the  Sauendar  or  the  Gouernour  of  the  citie) 
fifteene  hundred  rials  of  eight,  and  one  riall  of  eight  vpou 
euery  bagge  of  custome.  Wee  traded  heere  very  peaceably, 
although  the  Jauians  be  reckoned  among  the  greatest 
pickers  and  thecves  of  the  world.  But  the  generall  had 
commission  from  the  king  (after  he  had  receiued  an  abuse 
or  two)  that  whosoeuer  he  tooke  about  his  house  in  the 
night,  he  should  kill  them  :  so,  after  foure  or  fiue.wci-e  thus 


DEPARTURE  FROM  BANTAM.  101 

slaiuo^  we  lined  in  reasonable  peace  and  quiet.  But,  con- 
tinually, all  night,  wee  kept  a  carefull  watch.  As  we  went 
buying  pepper,  we  sent  it  aboord,  so  that  by  the  tenth  of 
February  our  ships  were  fully  laden,  and  readie  to  depart. 
But  in  this  meane  time  the  captaine  of  the  Hector,  Master 
John  Middleton,  fell  sicke  aboord  his  ship  in  the  roade  (for 
the  generall  obserued  this  from  the  beginning  of  the  voyage, 
that  if  he  himselfe  were  ashore,  the  captaine  of  the  Vice- 
Admirall  kept  aboord,  because  both  should  not  be  from 
their  charge  at  one  time).  The  generall  hearing  of  his 
sicknesse,  went  aboord  to  visit  him,  and  found  him  weaker 
than  he  himselfe  felt,  which  experience  had  taught  him  to 
know  in  these  hot  countries.  And  so  it  happened  with 
Captaine  Middleton  then  walking  vp  and  downe,  who  dyed 
about  two  of  the  clocke  next  morning. 

Now,  the  generall  began  to  put  all  things  in  order,  and 
hasten  his  departure,  and  appointed  a  pinnasse  of  about 
fortie  tunnes  (which  he  had)  to  be  ladden  with  commodities, 
and  put  in  her  twelue  men  with  certaine  merchants,  and 
sent  her  for  the  Moluccas,  to  trade  there  and  settle  a  factoi'ie 
against  the  returne  of  the  next  shipping  out  of  England. 
Moreouer,  he  left  eight  men  and  three  factors  in  Bantam, 
the  chief  of  which  factors  was  Master  William  Starkey, 
whom  he  appointed  to  sell  such  commodities  as  were  left 
there,  and  to  prouide  lading  for  the  shippes  against  the 
next  returne.  Also  the  generall  went  to  the  court  to  take 
his  leaue  of  the  king,  where  he  receiued  a  letter  for  her 
maiestie,  and  a  present  for  her  of  certaine  bezar-stoues, 
very  faire,  and  to  the  generall  he  gaue  a  very  faire  Sana 
dagger,  which  they  much  esteeme  there,  and  a  good  bezar- 
stone,  with  some  other  things.  And  thus  the  generall  tooke 
his  leaue  of  the  king,  with  many  kind  countenances  and 
good  words. 


102  THE    VOYAGE    HOME. 


§VI. 

Their  departure  for  England,  and  occurreuts  in  the  way. 

The  twentieth  day  of  Februarie^  we  went  all  abooi-cl  oui' 
shipSj  shot  off  our  ordnance,  and  set  sayle  to  the  sea  toward 
England,  with  thankes  to  God,  and  glad  hearts,  for  his 
blessings  towards  vs.  The  two  and  twentieth  and  three  and 
twentieth  of  the  same  moneth  we  were  in  the  Straights  of 
Sunda,  and  the  sixe  and  twentieth  wee  were  cleere  of  all  the 
iles  that  lye  in  those  Straights,  and  cleere  of  all  the  land, 
holding  our  course  south  west,  so  that  the  eight  and  twen- 
tieth wee  were  in  eight  degrees  and  fortie  minutes  to  the 
south  of  the  Line.  Vpon  Sunday,  the  thirteenth  of  March, 
wee  were  past  the  Tropicke  of  Capricorne,  holding  our 
course  for  the  most  parte  south-west,  with  a  stiffe  gale  of 
wind  at  south-east.  The  fourteenth  day  of  April  wee  were 
in  thirtie  foure  degrees,  iudging  the  land  of  Madagascar  to 
be  north  of  vs.  The  eight  and  twentieth  day  we  had  a  very 
great  and  a  furious  storme,  so  that  we  were  forced  to  take 
in  all  our  sayles.  This  storme  continued  a  day  and  a  night, 
with  an  exceeding  great  and  raging  sea,  so  that,  in  the 
reason  of  man  no  shippe  was  able  to  Hue  in  them  :  but 
God  (in  his  mercie)  ceased  the  violence  thereof,  and  gaue  vs 
time  to  breath,  and  to  rej^aire  all  our  distresses  and  harmes 
we  had  receiued,  but  our  ships  were  so  shaken  that  they 
were  leakie  all  the  voyage  after. 

The  third  of  May  wee  had  another  very  sore  storme, 
which  continued  all  the  night,  and  the  seas  did  so  beato 
vpon  the  ships  quarter,  that  it  sliooke  all  the  iron  worke  of 
her  rother :  and  the  next  day,  in  the  morning,  our  rother 
brake  cleane  from  the  sterue  of  our  shippe,  and  presently 
sunke  into  the  sea.  This  strooke  a  present  feare  into  the 
hearts  of  all  men,  so  that  the  best  of  vs,  and  most  expe- 

'  16U3. 


LOSS    OF    THE    RUDDER.  103 

rienced,  knew  not  what  to  doe.  And  specially,  seeing  our 
selues  in  such  a  tempestuous  sea  and  so  stormie  a  place,  so 
that,  I  thinke,  there  bee  few  worse  in  all  the  world.  Now, 
our  ship  draue  up  and  downe  in  the  sea  like  a  wracke, 
which  way  soeuer  the  wind  carried  her,  so  that  sometimes 
we  were  within  three  or  four  leagues  of  the  Cape  Buena 
Esperauza,  then  commeth  a  contrary  wind,  and  driueth  vs 
almost  to  fortie  degrees  to  the  southward  into  the  hayle  and 
snow,  and  sleetie  cold  weather.  And  this  was  another  great 
miserie  unto  vs,  that  pinched  vs  exceeding  sore,  so  that  our 
case  was  miserable  and  very  desperate.  Yet  all  this  while 
the  Hector  kept  by  vs  carefully,  the  company  whereof  was 
some  comfort  vnto  vs  :  and  many  times  the  master  of  the 
Hector  came  aboord  our  shippe ;  so  at  the  last  it  was  con- 
cluded to  take  our  misen  mast  and  put  it  forth  at  the  sterne 
port,  to  proue  if  wee  could  steere  our  shippe  into  some  place 
where  we  might  make  another  rother  to  hang  it  to  serue 
our  turnes  home.  But  this  deuice  was  to  small  purpose,  for 
when  we  had  fitted  it  and  put  it  forth  (the  seas  being  some- 
what growne  with  lifting  vp  the  mast)  it  did  shake  the 
sterne,  and  put  all  in  such  danger  that  it  was  needfull  to 
make  all  conuenient  haste  to  get  the  mast  into  the  ship 
againe  :  which  we  were  very  glad  when  we  had  brought  it 
to  passe.  Now  we  were  without  all  remedie,  vnlesse  we 
made  a  new  rother,  and  could  bring  it  to  passe  to  hang  it 
in  the  sea :  which  to  performe,  let  euery  man  iudge  how 
easie  a  thing  it  was,  our  ship  being  of  seuen  or  eight  hund- 
red tunnes,  and  in  so  dangerous  a  sea  as  this  was :  but 
necessitie  compelleth  to  proue  all  meanes.  Then  the  gene- 
rail  commanded  the  carpenter  to  make  a  rother  of  the  said 
misen  mast,  to  prooue  what  wee  could  doe :  but  this  barre 
fell  in  our  way  :  that,  at  such  time  as  wee  lost  our  rother, 
wee  lost  also  the  most  of  our  rother  irons  wherewith  to 
fasten  the  rother.  But  yet  wee  went  forward  and  made  all 
the  haste  we  could,  and   one  of  our  men  diued  to  search 


104-  CAIfGSS    OS    TWS   ^iB:S3aALL'":J    SHIP. 

■whac  roclier  rroiis  remayced.  w^o  fotuid  bail  fewxj  soni  time' 
tiac  was  broken,  tjo  Iieipe  vs  wtcIiaLL  YeC^  by  Gods  fed^j^ 
ttnding  a  &ire  day.  wee  made  fii^  tie  said  rocher^  azid  saail)e<i 
cux  coarse  komewards.  Biin  winMjn  tliree  or  fooxe  BcQiiares; 
the  sea  tooke  it;  off  a^auie.  and  wee  bid  m-uck  adoe  to  sane 
m  and  wisk  tike  saniTtg  o£  in  wee  lose  anocker  ot*  oar  iconi^ 
so  t^iac  now  wee  kad.  bat  two  to  kao^  jk  firjrt  aadi  otxir  mem 
begaa  to  be  desiroos  to  leaae  tke  skip^  and  goe-  ikto  tke- 
Hecror  to  saae  tkemselues.  "  ^aj,*^  said  tke  generaH;, 
"  wee  will  yet  abide  Grcds  leasare^  to  see  wkat  mereie  ke 
win  ^ifiw  vs ::  fijr  I  despaixe  not  to  same  oar  seliiesj,  tke  skip, 
and  Tike  goods,  by  one  meanes  or  otifcer^  as  God  skall  appoiinr 
'^.''  And  wiijk  tkaii  ke  wenc  into  his  cabbin,.  and  wroce  a 
rocer  fcr  EngJand,  parpoang  to  send  it  by  tke  Hector, 
•.mmaading  ker  to  depart,  aard  leane  kinx  liere :  bat  itofe 
-oe  of  tke  ccmpanie  knew  of  Ms  command.  Tke  letter 
Tras  very  briete,  and  tke  Tienoar  lide  more  or  lesse  as 
follDwetk. : — 

"  Bagki  worsJiipfell,  wkat  katk  parsed  in  tkis  Toyage,  and 
wkac  tra^s  I  Iiane  settled  for  thin  companie,  and  wliat  other 
evenis  haae  beraJIen.  vs.  yon  shall  vnderstand  by  tke  bearers 
hereof,  no  wkonr  (as  occason  hasih  mUen)  I  mnsc  referre  yoo^ 
I  win  serine  wick  all  diligence  no  s.^iT»^  my  ship  and  her 
goods,  as  yoa  may  percene  by  the  coarse  I  take  in  nentmr- 
ing  mine  owne  Hfe  and  those  than  are  with  mee.  T  cannot 
tell  where  yoa  should  looks  for  me,  if  yoa  send  out  any 
pinnace  co  seeks  me  :  because  I  line  at  the  deaotion  of  the 
winds  and  seas.  And.  tkns  fere  yoa  weS,  dpsfrfng  God  to 
sead  ns  a  merrie  meeting  in  rihiii  world,  if  it  be  his  good 
win  and  pleasore. 

"  Tke  passage  to  tke  East  India  lietk  in  621^  degrees  by 
-le  nomk-west  on.  the  Ajnerica  side. 

"^Xoor  very  loaing  nriend, 


AKT?TTAL   AT    SAIST    HEIESTA,  105 

This  letter  being  deliuered,  tlie  generall  thongiit  ttey 
would  taue  beene  g-one  in  tiie  night,  according  to  their 
commission :  bnt  when  he  espied  the  ship  in  th.e  morning, 
he  said  to  me,  "  These  men  regard  no  commission.'^  J^ow, 
the  ship  kept  some  two  or  three  leagues  from  ts,  and  came 
no  neerer :  for  the  master  was  an  honest  and  a  good  man, 
and  loued  the  generall  well,  and  was  lothe  to  leane  him  in 
BO  great  distresse.  And  now  it  was  time  for  ts  to  seete  all 
meanes  that  eould  be  to  sane  onx  seines  and  the  ship.  Then 
the  carpenter  mended  the  rother  we  had  saned,  and  within 
two  or  three  dayes  the  weather  begnn  to  bee  somewhat  faire 
and  the  sea  smootb.  So  we  put  out  a  signe  to  the  Hector 
to  come  neere  ts,  ont  of  whicb  the  master.  Master  Sander- 
bole,  came  and  bronght  the  best  swimmers  and  diners  that 
he  had  in  his  ship,  who  helped  ts  not  a  little  in  the  busi- 
nesse  wee  had  to  doe.  Thns,  by  Grods  good  blessing,  wee 
hnng  onr  rother  againe  Tpon  the  two  hookes  that  were  left; : 
so  that  we  had  some  goode  hope  to  obtaine  one  port  or 
other  to  relieue  onr  seines  withalL  Kow,  we  had  beene 
beaten  to  and  fro  in  these  mightie  seas,  and  had  many  more 
Btormes  of  weather  than  are  here  expressed,  sometimes  for 
one  whole  moneth  together,  so  that  our  men  began  to  faR 
sicke  and  diseased  :  and  the  wind  fell  so  short,  that  wee 
could  fetch  no  part  of  the  coast  of  Africa,  which  was  neerest 
to  ns.  Committing  onr  seines  therefore  to  God,  we  set 
saOe  straight  for  the  Hand  of  Saint  Helena  :  for  we  knew 
we  had  doubled  the  Cape  of  Baena  Esperansa  by  the  height 
wee  were  in  to  the  northward.  As  we  were  in  onr  conrse, 
the  maine-yard  fell  downe,  and  strooke  one  of  onr  men  into 
the  sea,  and  he  was  drowned.  This  was  the  end  (God  be 
thanked)  of  all  onr  hard  fortunes. 

The  fift  day  of  Jnne  wee  passed  the  Tropicke  of  Capri- 
come,  and  the  sixteenth,  in  the  morning,  wee  had  sight  of 
the  Hand  of  Saint  Helena :  at  the  sight  wereof  there  was 
no  smale  reioycing  among  ns.    Wee  bare  close  along  by  the 


106  PASS    THE    ISLAND    OF    ASCENTION. 

shoare,  the  better  to  get  the  best  of  the  road  in  the  harbour, 
where  wee  came  to  an  anchor,  right  against  a  small  chap- 
pell,  which  the  Portugals  had  built  there  long  since.  Our 
ships  rode  in  twelue  fatham  water,  which  is  the  best  of  the 
harbo(u)r.  At  our  going  a  shoare,  we  found  by  many- 
writings  that  the  Carrackes  of  Portugall  had  departed  from 
thence  but  eight  dayes  before  our  commiug.  In  this  iland 
there  is  very  good  refreshing  of  water  and  wild  goats,  but 
they  are  hard  to  come  by,  vnlesse  good  direction  be  giuen 
for  the  getting  of  them.  And  this  course  our  generall 
tooke ;  he  appointed  foure  lusty  men,  and  of  the  best  shot 
he  had,  to  goe  into  the  iland,  and  make  their  abode  in  the 
middest  of  it,  and  to  eury  shot  he  appointed  foure  men  to 
attend  him,  to  carry  the  goats  that  he  killed  to  the  ren- 
deuous  :  thither  went  (every  day)  twentie  men,  to  fetch 
home  to  the  ships  what  was  killed.  So  there  was  no 
hoyting  or  rumour  in  the  iland  to  feare  the  goats  withall. 
And  by  this  meanes  the  ships  were  plentifully  relieued,  and 
euery  man  contented.  While  wee  stayed  here  we  fitted  our 
shipping,  and  searched  our  rother,  which  wee  hoped  would 
last  us  home.  All  our  sicke  men  recouered  their  health, 
through  the  store  of  goats  and  hogs,  wherewith  wee  had 
refreshed  our  selues,  hauing  great  need  of  good  refreshing. 
For,  in  three  moneths  wee  had  scene  no  land,  but  were 
continually  beaten  in  the  sea. 

The  fift  day  of  July  we  set  saile  from  this  ilan^,  our  course 
being  north-west.  The  thirteenth  day  wee  passed  by  an 
iland  called  the  Ascention,  which  standeth  in  eight  degrees. 
No  ships  touch  at  this  iland,  for  it  is  barraine,  and  without 
water :  onely  it  hath  good  store  of  fish  about  it,  but  deepe 
water,  and  ill  riding  for  ships.  From  hence,  wee  held  our 
course  still  northwest,  the  wind  being  south  and  south-east, 
till  the  nineteenth  day,  and  then  we  passed  the  ^quinoctiall- 
Line.  The  foure  and  twentieth  day  wee  were  six  leagues 
to  the  northward,  at  which  time  we  iudged  our  selues  to  be 


END    OF    THE    VOYAGE.  107 

an  hundred  and  fiftic  leagues  from  tlie  coast  of  Ginney. 
Then  we  steered  away  north  and  by  west  and  north  till  the 
nine  and  twentieth^  at  which  time  wee  had  sight  of  the  iland 
of  Fogo.  Here  wee  were  becalmed  fiue  dayes,  striuing  to 
passe  to  the  eastward  of  this  iland,  but  could  not :  for  tho 
wind  changed  and  came  to  the  north  east)  so  we  stood  west 
north  west. 

The  seuenth  day  of  August,  wee  were  in  sixteene  degrees, 
and  the  twelfth  day  wee  passed  the  Tropicke  of  Cancer, 
that  lieth  in  23h  degrees,  holding  our  course  northerly. 
But  the  three  and  twentieth,  the  wind  came  westerly.  The 
nine  and  twentieth  wee  passed  the  Iland  of  Saint  Marie,  the 
wind  faire. 

The  seuenth  day  of  September  wee  tooke  sounding, 
iudging  the  lands  end  of  England  to  be  fortie  leagues  from 
us.  The  eleuenth  day  wee  came  to  the  Downes  well  and 
safe  to  an  anchor  :  for  which,  thanked  be  Almightie  God, 
who  hath  deliuered  vs  from  infinite  perils  and  dangers  in 
this  long  and  tedious  nauigation. 


THE     VOYAGE 

OF 

CAPTA.INS    KEELING^  AND    HAWKINS, 

1607-1609. 

BEING  THE  THIRD  VOYAGE  SET  TORTH  BY  THE  EAST  INDIA 
COMPANY. 


I. 

"The  princepall  notes  of  the  Third  Voyadge  (in  the  Dracjon)  to  the 
Easte  Indies  by  William  Keeling,  (xovernor,  begunne  the  12th  of 
March,  Anno  Domini  1607."^ 

The  C onsen tj  Hector,  and  Dragon,  sailed  from  Tilbury  Hope 
on  the  12th  of  March. 

In  May  the  Dragon  and  Hector  touched  at  the  Island  of 
Maio.^  The  vessels  next  touched  at  Sierra  Leone,  from 
whence  they  sailed  on  the  15th  of  September.  While  there 
"  one  Oliphante^s  tooth  waighing  681i "  was  bought  for  5 
yards  of  blue  calico  and  7  or  8  iron  bars. 

•  Captain  Keeling  had  commanded  the  Susan  (240  tons)  in  the  second 
voyage  of  1604,  under  Sir  Henry  Middleton.  The  Hector^  under  Cap- 
tain Stiles,  and  the  Susan  were. left  at  Bantam  by  Middleton,  to  load 
with  pejjper.  In  March  1605,  Captain  Stiles  died,  and  Keeling  then 
took  command  of  the  Hector.  Keeling  sailed  from  Bantam  on  JNlarch 
4th.  In  October  he  fell  in  with  Middleton  in  the  Consent,  off  Saldanlia 
Bay,  being  reduced  to  extreme  misery.  They  reached  England  in  Feb- 
ruary 1606.  Captain  Keeling  commanded  the  Second  Joint-Stock  Voy- 
age in  1614,  and  was  Commander-General  of  all  the  English  in  the  East 
Indies.  He  obtained  a  grant  from  the  King  of  Achin  for  trading  in 
pepper,  and  established  a  factory  at  Teko  on  the  west  coast  of  Sumatra. 
Sir  Thomas  lloe  speaks  of  him  as  "a  reasonable  discreet  man". 

2  An  Abstract  of  the  Journals  of  the  Voyage.  MS.  in  the  India 
Office,  four  pages  and  three-quarters. 

3  One  of  the  Cape  Verde  Islands.  In  the  former  voyage  of  Middleton, 
Maio  was  appointed  a  place  of  rendezvous  in  the  event  of  a  separation 
of  the  fleet. 


TROUBLES  WITH  THE  HOLLANDERS.  109 

On  the  ITtli  of  December  the  fleet  entered  Saldanha  Bay, 
where  they  "watered  and  had  good  refreshing  of  shccpc  and 
cattails". 

Ou  the  lOtli  of  February  the  two  ships  put  into  the 
Bay  of  St.  Augustine,  where  they  had  "  some  small 
refreshing'\ 

Ou  the  25th  of  April  the  Island  of  ''^  Abderacaria"  was 
sighted,  and  the  vessels  anchored  to  the  northward  of  the 
Island  :  from  thence  they  sailed  to  Samarine  Bay,  in  which 
they  anchored  on  the  14th  of  May. 

"  Pryaman  yeldeth  yearely  not  above  500  bahars  of  peper, 
but  with  the  partes  neare  adjoining,  as  Bassaine,^  Teckoo, 
the  mountaines,  and  other  like  places,  yt  yealdeth  2,500 
bahars  yearly  :  which  may  be  bought  very  cheape,  if  a 
factoiy  weare  settelled  to  buy  all  the  yeare,  for  theire  har- 
vest is  only  in  August  and  September,  and  is  fetched  away 
by  them  of  Achene  and  Java ;  but  the  Guyzerattes  have  noe 
trade  heare,  for  the  King  of  Achene  hath  given  expresse 
commaund  to  the  contrary." 

The  Dragon  anchored  in  Bantam  Road  in  October,  where 
she  was  joined  by  the  Hector  on  the  11th  of  November. 
Twelve  days  later  the  Dragon  was  despatched  on  her  home- 
ward voyage  to  England. 

In  February  (1609)  General  Keeling  visited  Banda,  where 
the  people  and  Hollanders  welcomed  him. 

In  March  a  secret  agreement  was  made  to  send  a  factor 
to  Policy.^  At  the  same  date  the  people  and  Hollanders 
were  at  open  war. 

Captain  Keeling  entered  into  an  agreement  at  Polley, 
that  the  natives  were  to  supply  him  alone  with  all  the 
spices    at    Polley,   Pooloroon/^  and  Nirapotte.^     The   Hol- 

>  Passaman  and  Tiku,  ports  on  the  west  coast  of  Sumatra,  north  of 
Piiaman.  -  Bali. 

'  Fulo  Rhun,  one  of  the  Banda  Islands,  in  the  Moluccan  Archipelago. 
*  Banda  !N  eira,  another  of  the  Banda  Islands. 


110  THE    VOYAGE    OUT, 

landers  then  offered  the  natives  12^000  dollars  to  drive 
the  English  from  the  country,  but  this  offer  the  natives 
declined. 

In  May  the  Vice- Admiral  of  the  Dutch  fleet  sent  word  to 
Captain  Keeling,  that  he  hoped  the  latter  would  not  take  it 
in  ill  part  if  his  boats  searched  the  English  ones  when  going 
on  shore,  to  see  what  aid  was  given  to  his  enemies.  Cap- 
tain Keeling,  to  avoid  such  an  inconvenience,  replied  that  if 
the  Hollanders  would  pay  such  debts  as  ISTeira  and  Comba 
owed  him,  he  would  trade  only  at  Polley  and  Pooloroon  : 
finally,  for  quietness^  sake,  he  yielded.  Nevertheless,  on 
the  5th  of  June  ^'  I  went  with  my  last  rice  to  Polley,  the 
Hollander  having  first  sent  abord  and  serched  to  our  great 
discontentes  :  nevertheless,  the  ship  at  Lintore  wearned 
us,  and  called  to  come  aboi'd,  which  I  refused  ;  they  said 
they  would  shott,  but  I  neither  went  aboard,  nor  they 
shott". 

The  natives  and  Hollanders  made  peace  in  August. 

Having  obtained  the  Dutch  letters  for  such  debts  as  were 
due  to  him,  Captain  Keeling  set  sail  for  Bantam.  On  the 
passage  the  Hector  anchored  off  the  Island  of  Celebes, 
about  half  a  day^s  sail  from  Macassar.  Captain  Keeling 
did  not  venture  closer  in  towards  the  town,  as  he  had 
heard  that  a  lai'ge  ship  had  been  lately  cast  away  there. 

On  the  2Gth  of  August  the  Hector  anchoi'ed  in  Bantam 
Road,  where  pepper  was  received  in  payment  for  the  debts 
due  at  Banda. 

On  the  5th  of  October  the  Hector  sailed  for  England, 
but  Augustine  Spalding,  as  chief  factor,  and  ten  other 
Englishmen,  were  left  behind  to  found  a  factory. 


INCIDENTS   AT   ST.    AUGUSTINe's    BAY.  Ill 


11.^ 

The  Ilccior,  Captain  Hawkins,  and  tlio  Dragon,  Captain 
Keeling",  sailed  on  the  7th  of  March  from  Erith.  The  wind 
proving  nnfavourable,  the  vessels  did  not  reach  the  Downs 
nntil  the  end  of  the  month.  The  Hector,  while  in  the 
Downs,  was  fonnd  to  leak  badly,  but  her  own  carpenter  was 
able  to  execute  the  necessary  caulking. 

On  the  16th  of  April  the  two  ships  left  Plymouth, 
from  which  port  the  Consent  had  sailed  a  few  days  pre- 
viously. 

The  Island  of  Maio  was  visited  in  hopes  of  obtaining  a 
supply  of  fresh  water,  but  as  none  could  be  obtained,  the 
vessels  put  to  sea  again,  "  God  still  furtheringe  our  jorney 
with  prosspurus  winde,  though  our  wicked  actiones  and 
inhewmayne  vileues  merited  instead  hereof  fearfull  judg- 
mentes'\ 

The  weather  on  the  14th  of  May  was  very  stormy,  and 
"  the  raigne  which  we  had  this  morninge  mad  our  cabbenes 
and  all  thinges  yet  weate  smell  verey  noysomely^\ 

From  the  latitude  of  Cape  St.  Augustine,  on  the  coast  of 
Brazil,  the  Hector  and  Dragon  were  driven  by  contrary 
winds  to  the  northward  of  the  Line. 

For  the  purpose  of  refilling  the  water  casks,  the  general 
put  into  Sierra  Leone.  At  this  place,  as  ''  for  cattell  theare 
weare  none  to  be  gooten,  for  the  countrye  seemed  bag- 
gerly,  and  the  people  verey  idle,  but  for  ought  wee  per- 
ceived harmlesse^\ 

*  *  ^  *  *  * 

'  IMS.  in  the  India  Office,  Thirty-two  and  a  half  folio  images.  The 
entry  for  the  30th  of  August,  1607,  breaks  off  abruptly  at  the  foot  of  a 
page  ;  the  first  entry  on  the  next  page  consisting  of  the  latter  part  of  a 
sentence,  is  that  for  the  18th  of  February,  1607-8.  The  final  entry  in 
this  Journal  is  an  incomplete  one  for  the  12th  of  March,  1607-8. 


112  OUTBREAK    OF    SCUPwVY. 

The  fleet  on  the  19th  of  February  [1607-8]  anchored  in 
the  Bay  of  St.  Augustine.^  On  the  following  day.  Captain 
Hawkins  landed  and  went  a  short  distance  into  the  country. 
On  his  I'eturn  to  the  boat,  "  he  founde  one  of  his  men  sore 
hurte  with  a  crockadile,  or  alligator,  which  had  seised  upon 
the  mannes  legge,  whose  name  was  George  Evans,  as  hee 
had  benne  washinge  a  sherte  by  the  boate's  side,  and  tugged 
him  over  a  river,  beinge  shoale  water ;  but  hee,  findinge 
himselfe  in  such  sorte,  hailed  away,  and  being  amassed 
footed  the  crokadile  with  his  other  foote,  and  soe  by  greate 
chance  bracke  from  him  sore  wounded  and  recovered  the 
boate,  mackinge  no  other  accounpte  but  that  his  foote  was 
gonne,  till  he  sawe  yet  the  hinder  parte  of  the  small  of  his 
legge  was  bytten  cleane  asunder  both  flesh  and  synewes  to 
the  bone ;  and  had  the  alligator  gott  him  into  deepe  water, 
assuredly  he  had  bene  carried  clene  away^'. 

The  natives  "  seeme  to  bee  a  martiall  people  in  theire 
kinde  and  verie  ingenious".  "  They  are  not  verey  blacke, 
but  bi^owne  of  coller :  the  heare  of  som  of  them  was  arti- 
ficially platted,  of  others  yt  was  round-fryzeled  lycke  the 
forme  of  a  flatte  cappe."  ''Wine  they  seemed  not  to  care 
for,  and  would  but  taste  theireof " 

While  lying  in  the  Bay,  the  Dragon  twice  snapped  her 
cables,  whereby  two  anchors  were  lost  at  ''  this  ylfavoured 
hole,  wheare  wee  could  see  nothinge  worth  commendacions 
for  our  purpose ;  for  although  wee  gott  a  few  cattle,  yet  it 
seemed  they  wearo  brought  farr  of,  so  that  we  could  not 
expect  any  store". 

The  water  casks  having  been  filled,  the  vessels  put  to 
sea  on  the  28th  of  February,  and  on  the  12th  of  the 
following  month  were  within  sight  of  the  coast  of 
Mozambique. 

^  On  the  south-west  coast  of  Madagascar. 


CAI'TAIN    KKKLINg's    VOYAGE.  113 


III.l 

The  Dragon,  wliereof  Captain  William  Keeling  was 
general,  and  the  Hector,  Captain  Hawkins,  sailed  from 
Erith  on  tlie  8tli  March,  160G-7,  and  next  touched  at 
Plymouth,  from  which  port  they  departed  on  the  16th  of 
April,  1607. 

On  the  7th  of  May  the  ships  anchoi'ed  off  Maio,^  where 
the}'  lay  for  two  days.  During  that  time  no  tidings  of  Mr. 
Dirham,  who  in  ]  604  had  been  left  behind  there  by  Sir 
Henry  Middleton,  were  obtained. 

The  Island  of  Fernando  Larauia  [Fernando  Noronha] 
was  sighted  on  the  6th  of  June,  and  ten  days  later  the  ships 
were  off  the  coast  of  Brazil.  From  that  time  the  fleet 
drifted  northwards,  and  recrossed  the  Line  on  the  8th  of 
July. 

As  some  50  of  the  Dragon^s  crew  and  an  equal  number 
of  the  Hector's  men  were  ill  with  scurvy  and  the  flux,  and 
as,  owing  to  the  wind,  it  was  impossible  to  reach  the  Island 
of  Fernando  Lai-ania,  the  General  on  the  30th  of  July  held 
a  Council,  when  it  was  resolved  to  put  into  Sierra  Leone,  of 
which  place  Sir  Francis  Drake  and  Captain  Cavendish  had 
made  a  favourable  report. 

On  the  6th  of  August  the  vessels  entered  the  harbour  of 

•  MS.  in  the  India  Office,  fifty-nine  and  a  quarter  folio  pages.  The 
Journal  of  the  Third  Voyage  to  India,  so  far  as  relates  to  the  Dragon^ 
was  kept  by  John  Hearn  and  William  Finch.  It  contains  sliglit  sketches 
of  some  of  the  more  prominent  islands  and  landmarks  sighted  on  the 
passage.  The  last  entry  is  tlie  one  for  the  19th  of  June  1608,  at  which 
date  the  Hector  and  Dragon  were  lying  at  anchor  before  Bandar  Delishi, 
in  Socotra. 

2  See  The  Voyage  of  Sir  Henry  Middleton  to  the  Mcduco  Islands  (ITak- 
luyt  Society,  1855),  pp.  5  and  6.  Mr.  Durham  landed  on  the  Island  of 
Maio  with  the  men,  to  whom  he  gave  a  strong  warning  not  to  straggle. 
But  he  seems  to  have  straggled  himself,  so  Sir  Henry  Middleton  left  him 
behind. 

I 


> 
111  CAPTAIN    KEELING    AT    SIEEA    LEONE. 

Sierra  Leone,  at  which  place  they  remained  till  the  loth  of 
September.  During  that  time  the  sick  were  sent  on  shore 
to  some  empty  huts,  formerly  built  by  the  Portugals.  A 
Portuguese  ship,  too,  a  regular  trader  between  the  Cape  de 
Verde  Islands  and  Sierra  Leone,  put  in  there.  Its  master 
avoided  having  any  dealings  with  the  English. 

In  retaliation  for  thefts  committed  by  some  of  the  crew, 
the  natives  detained  one  man  a  prisoner  at  their  village. 
When  this  affair  was  reported  to  Captain  Keeling,  he 
caused  the  offenders  to  be  punished  in  the  presence  of  the 
owners  of  the  stolen  goods,  to  whom  also  he  restored  their 
property. 

A  Portuguese  Friar  having  undertaken  to  forward 
letters  to  England,  the  General  took  advantage  of  the  offer. 

"  This  Fryer,  with  2  more,  doe  keepe  heer  aboute  Sierra 
Leone  amongst  the  Portingalls  to  say  masse :  also  to 
procure  some  of  the  black  people  to  become  Christians, 
they  havinge  drawne  some  fewe  already  to  bee  Christians^'. 

"  This  people  are  verry  lusty  men,  stronge  and  well 
limmed  ;  and  a  good  people  and  true,  they  will  not  steall  as 
others  of  their  collour  will  doe  in  other  places,  ffor  many  of 
our  men  lost  many  things  ashore,  and  they  that  found  thom 
brought  them  and  restored  them  to  the  right  owners.  And 
in  all  that  tyme  of  our  beeinge  heer  wee  hadde  no  injury 
offered  to  any  of  our  people,  but  all  the  kyndnes  that  might 
bee  expected  at  the  hands  of  such  a  black  heathen  nation." 

Previous  to  sailing.  Captain  Keeling  had  a  stone,  engraven 
with  his  own  name  and  that  of  Captain  Hawkins,  set  up  on 
the  beach,  close  to  another  one,  which  bore  the  names  of  Sir 
Francis  Drake,  a°  1580,  and  Captain  Candish,  a^  158G. 

The  fleet  having  sailed  from  Sierra  Leone,  next  anchored 
in  Saldanha  Bay,  where  the  General,  at  the  request  of  the 
crews,  put  in  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  fresh  provisions. 
From  the  country  people  402  sheep  and  81  head  of  cattle 
were  purchased. 


THE    BAY    OF    ST.    AFGUSTINE.  115 

"  These  people  lieer  are  a  verry  heathenish  and  brutish 
people,  not  given  to  any  goodnes.  They  doe  apply  all  their 
Mitts  unto  filchingo  and  stcalinge.  Their  weapons  ai'e  darts, 
wherewith  they  are  verr}'  nimble,  and  verry  expert  in  using 
them.  They  are  verry  light  of  foote.  They  are  much 
afraj^d  of  a  peece,  for  so  soone  as  they  doe  heare  the  reporte 
thereof  they  fall  downe  to  the  ground,  thinking  thereby  to 
escape  the  danger  of  the  shott." 

On  the  1st  of  January  1G07-8  the  fleet  again  set  sail,  and 
on  the  19th  February  entered  the  bay  of  St.  Augustine. 
At  this  place  only  a  few  cattle  wei'e  obtained ;  the  water 
casks  too  were  filled. 

The  natives  "ai-e  a  verry  ingenious  and  an  understandinge 
people;  they  are  of  the  collor  of  molatoes.  They  have  verry 
arteficiall  darts,  headed  lyke  unto  a  broad-arrow  head  of 
iron,  and  doe  keep  them  verry  bright.  They  have  netts 
verry  arteficially  wrought,  as  our  netts  bee  in  England,  but 
they  bee  made  of  cotton  yarne.  They  have  good  under- 
standinge in  silver,  and  doe  know  how  to  chose  it  :  we 
shewed  them  pewter  spones  and  other  toyes  made  of  tin 
and  lead,  which  they  knewe  presently  to  be  base,  and  of 
small  vallew.  They  bee  proper  comely  men,  verry  well 
limbed,  and  of  a  reasonable  good  behaviour.  They  bee  a 
verry  sweete  and  cleaue  people,  without  any  filthiness  on 
their  heads  or  their  bodies." 

"  This  place  neer  unto  the  sea  syde  doeth  yield  nothinge 
that  is  good.  For  I  could  not  see  anythinge  but  ti'ees  which 
yeild  no  fruit,  and  sandy  playnes  yeildingno  kynde  of  fodder 
for  cattell ;  neyther  aboute  this  place  is  thei'e  any  lykely- 
hood  of  ground  where  ryse  might  growe ;  but  that  both 
their  cattell  and  ryse  are  farr  upp  in  the  country. 

"And  I  hope  that  hereafter  our  owners  at  home  will  not 
prohibitt  touchinge  at  the  Cape  in  hope  of  reliefe  at  any 
other  place  whatsoever,  consideringe  that  the  touchinge 
there  (although   it  bee  for   a  shorter  tyme)    doth  so  much 

l2      • 


1  1  (\  SOCOTRA. 

importe  the  good  of  the  vo3'age,  both  by  pi^eserving  of 
men's  healths  by  refreshinge  in  harbour,  as  also  there  may 
be  flesh  saved,  in  the  manner  as  wee  doe  in  the  West  Indias 
for  6  weeks  victualls  at  the  least." 

On  the  28th  of  February  the  fleet  left  the  bay  of  St. 
Augustine,  and  having  on  the  passage  sighted  the  island  of 
Pemba,  Cape  Dorfu,  and  the  islands  of  Abba  de  Curia^  and 
Dos  Tomoas,-  arrived  in  April  at  the  island  of  Zokotora. 

The  general  landed  on  the  western  side  of  the  island, 
and  entered  a  town  from  which,  on  his  approach,  the  in- 
habitants had  fled,  as  they  thought  that  the  party  were 
Portugals,  by  whom  many  of  their  number  had  been  carried 
off"  to  the  mainland,  and  there  sold  as  slaves. 

"  This  towne  is  of  a  reasonable  bignes.  The  houses  are 
built  of  stone  and  clay,  fower  square,  and  flatt  on  the  topps. 
Neer  the  sea  syde  standeth  their  church,  which  is  likewyse 
built  square,  of  stone  and  clay,  lyke  unto  the  houses  :  but 
it  is  whyted  on  the  oute  syde  with  a  kynde  of  lyme,  and  it 
is  walled  round  aboute  with  a  stone  wall  in  manner  of  a 
church.  In  it  wee  sawe  an  altar,  wheruppon  are  placed 
3  crosses  of  wood,  which  they  have  anointed  with  a  kynde 
of  sweete  oyntment ;  likewyse  they  have  sweete  wood  and 
frankinsence  to  burne  ;  also  there  are  places  for  tapei^s  to 
burne  in,  and  there  hangeth  an  ould  peece  of  pintado  for  a 
rellique.  By  all  which  wee  deemed  them  to  bee  a  kynde  of 
Christians.  And  in  the  towne  wee  came  to  a  More's  house, 
where  we  found  a  table  of  their  lawe  written  in  Arabique, 
and  d^'vers  wry  tings  in  Arabique  in  their  houses.  We  sawe 
many  samples  of  druggs,  as  Olibanura,  Mastick,  Sang-Dra- 
gonis,  Turmerich,  Blattalizantia,  and  Aloes,  with  other 
gomes  and  woods,  as  also  exceedinge  sweete  powders  ;  but 
whether  this  island  yield  them  or  no,  I  know  not." 

>  Abd-al-Kuri,  an  island  midway  between  the  west  end  of  Socotra  and 
Cape  Guardafui. 
"  The  Brothers ;  two  islands  sonth-wost  of  Socotra. 


SOCOTRA.  117 

As  no  supplies  could  be  obtained  at  tliis  town,  the  fleet 
moved  round  to  the  nortliorn  side  of  the  island,  and  an- 
chored opposite  the  town  of  Tauiore.^  The  people  of  this 
place  promised  to  supply  the  ships  with  provisions  and 
water. 

A  Guzerat  ship  having  entered  the  bay,  Captain  Keeling 
obtained  from  the  Guzerats  much  information  touching  the 
navigation  to  Aden,  Surat,  and  Cambaya.  They  further 
informed  him  that  broadcloth,  iron,  and  lead  were  good 
articles  for  trade  at  Aden,  but  that  quicksilver  and  red  lead 
were  in  much  greater  demand  ;  also,  that  "  the  Governour 
that  now  is  is  a  yonge  maim,  whose  fame  is  far  spredd 
to  bee  verry  kynde  unto  all  strangers  that  doe  come  thither 
in  trade." 

Tamore  and  Delisha^  were  the  cliief  towns  of  Zokotora, 
which  island  was  a  part  of  the  dominions  of  Ameer  Ben- 
said. 

"  These  people  are  a  kynde  of  Mores,  and  doe  naturally 
speake  the  Arabian  tongue.  They  be  a  verify  subtill  people, 
and  doe  live  under  the  Mahometan  Lawe.  There  bee  many 
verry  proper  comely  men,  and  have  a  reasonable  civill 
government  amongst  them.  They  are  both  black,  tawney, 
and  white.  There  bee  iu  this  island  aboute  3  thousand 
Cafars,  but  for  the  most  parte  they  bee  montaniers  which 
seldome  or  never  come  into  these  towns  of  governement : 
and  of  the  better  sorte  of  people  in  this  island,  which  are 
MoreSj  are  aboute  three  hundred. 

''  This  island  doeth  yield  cattell,  goates,  sheep,  and  henns. 
There  bee  also  many  date  trees  uppon  this  island,  especially 
at  this  towne  Tamore,  wherof  I  doe  judge  it  taketh  the  name, 
tamora  beeiug  the  Arabique  worde  for  a  date.  Here  is  also 
the  drugg  Aloe  Sokotrina,  which  is  made  of  the  herbe 
fcsempervive  :  it  taketh  the  name  of  the   island   Sokotora. 

'  Tamarida,  the  principal  town  iu  Socotra, 
'  ]5iiii(lar  DcUshi. 


118  SOCOTRA. 

The  Portingalls  in  tyme  of  yere  doe  come  hither  and  trade 
with  them  for  this  drugg,  gevinge  them  silver  for  the  same  : 
but  now^  at  this  tyme,  there  is  none  to  be  hadd,  the  country 
beeirig  all  burnt  upp  with  extreamitie  of  heate  through 
want  of  rayne. 

"  The  Guzerats  doe  lykewyse  come  hither  in  trade,  bi'ing- 
inge  them  ryce,  white  callicos,  and  other  stuffs  made  aboute 
Cambaya,  which  they  truck  with  them  for  silver.  Yf  the 
Guzerats  doe  take  in  any  water  heer  they  pay  for  it,  as  well 
as  for  any  thinge  ells  that  this  island  doeth  yield,  and  the 
reason  is  in  that  they  come  not  with  such  force  as  the 
Portingalls  or  we  doe. 

"  This  iland  yeildeth  also  some  Civitt  Catts,  but  verry 
few.'^ 

In  compliance  with  the  wish  of  the  Governor  of  Tamore, 
Captain  Keeling  left  a  letter  with  him,  to  show  to  any  Eng- 
lishmen who  at  a  future  time  might  visit  the  island.  The  pur- 
port of  the  letter  was,  that  the  natives  had  received  the  Gene- 
ral kindly,  and  had  supplied  the  ships  with  water  and  fresh 
provisions,  but  that  over  much  credit  was  not  to  be  given 
to  them,  "they  beeinge  Mores,  and  full  of  deceipt/' 

On  the  29th  of  April  the  fleet  set  sail  for  Aden.  During 
the  day  the  General  examined  a  runaway  slave,  who  had 
boarded  the  Dragon.  The  man  stated  that  he  was  a  native 
of  Arabia  Felix,  from  whence,  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  he  had 
been  brought  to  the  island,  where  he  had  endured  much 
misery.  In  answer  to  questions,  he  said  that  the  people 
and  the  king's  son  had  been  very  unwilling  to  allow  any 
persons  to  land  ;  that  the  latter  had  given  orders  that  no 
one  should  be  allowed  to  enter  the  town,  or  wander  among 
the  trees,  for  fear  that  the  cattle,  sheep,  and  goats  might  be 
discovered,  as  well  as  a  river  of  fresh  water.  This  slave 
was  afterwards  restored  to  his  owner. 

On  the  5th  of  May  the  vessels  anchored  in  the  bay  of 
Zokotora,  close  to  two  ships,  one  of  which  was  the  Guzeiat 


SOCOTRA.  119 

wl)  it'll  had  been  at  Tamore.  The  General  gave  the  com- 
manders of  these  ships  letters^  and  in  return  received 
from  them  letters  to  the  King  of  Cambaya  and  Governor  of 
Aden. 

Contrary  winds  forced  the  general  to  return  to  Tamore, 
where  the  fleet  remained  till  the  19th  of  May,  on  which 
day  the  vessels  were  moved  round  to  an  anchorage  opposite 
the  "ragged  town"  of  Delisha,  the  only  safe  port  in  the 
island,  during  the  continuance  of  the  south-west  winds. 

In  May  Captain  Keeling  had  the  allowance  of  bread 
issued  to  each  mess  reduced  by  one-fourth  part,  the  better 
to  make  it  hold  out  for  the  homewards  voyage,  but  he  pro- 
mised the  men  that  so  long  as  the  ships  remained  atDelisha 
they  should  have  one  meal  a  day  of  fresh  meat. 

In  June  a  council  was  held,  at  which  it  was  settled  that 
both  ships  should  remain  at  Delisha  until  the  wind  should 
be  favourable  for  continuing  the  voyage,  in  preference  to  the 
Dragon's  immediately  sailing  for  Bantam,  while  the  Hector- 
awaited  a  change  of  wind  fair  for  a  passage  to  Cambaya. 


THfi    VOYAGE 

OF 

CAPTAIN      SHARP  EIGH, 

1608-1G09. 

lb;     SIOT     V( 
COMPANY. 


I. 

The  Ascension,  of  which  Captain  Alexander  Sharpeigh^  was 
geuei-alj  and  the  Uuionj  sailed  from  Woolwich  on  the  14th 
of  Mai'ch  (1607-8),  and  having  on  the  passage  touched  at 
1'enerifFe  and  Maio,  arrived  on  the  14th  of  July  at  Saldanha 
Buy,  where  they  remained  till  the  18th  of  September. 
During  that  time  the  pinnace  was  enlarged,  aud  named  the 
Hope ;  sheep  and  cattle  were  purchased,  and  oil  for  light 
was  obtained  from  seals  killed  on  Penguin  Island. 

Having  sailed  from  Saldanha  Bay,  the  vessels  were 
separated  during  a  storm. 

The  Ascension  having  passed  the  Island  of  St.  Lawrence, 

1  MS.  in  the  India  Office,  seventy-five  and  a  half  folio  pages.  The 
journal  proper  consists  of  sixty  and  a  half  pages,  the  remaining  fifteen 
pages  being  copies  of  twenty-five  letters  from  Captain  Sharpeigh,  while 
detained  on  shore  at  Aden,  to  the  merchants  and  master  on  board  the 
Ascension.  In  these  letters  he  related  all  that  happened  to  himself,  and 
also  gave  directions  concerning  what  goods  should  be  landed,  and  what 
steps  should  be  taken  to  procure  his  own  release.  Both  the  journal  aud 
the  copies  of  the  letters  are  in  the  same  handwriting. 

2  On  January  12th,  1608,  Captain  Alexander  Sharpeigh  was  engaged 
as  General  of  the  voyage  at  £10  per  month,  and  100  marks  for  his  pro- 
vision at  sea;  and  he  offered  to  adventure  £200  in  the  general  stock. 
The  Vice-Admiral  was  Captain  Richard  Rowles,  and  the  Master  Philip 
Grove,  who  had  been  in  the  voyages  of  Lancaster  and  Middleton. 
Sharpeigh  took  his  brother  with  him  as  servant.— See  Calendar  of  State 
Papers,  East  Indies,  1513-1610. 


OKP    I'KMUA    AND    SOCOTKA.  121 

ancbored  on  the  25tli  of  November  off  the  Island  of  Comoro, 
the  natives  of  which  phice  were  found  to  be  faithful  and 
courteous. 

The  Island  of  Pemba  was  next  touched  at.  At  first  the 
people  seemed  friendly,  but  afterwards  they  made  a  treacher- 
ous attack  on  a  party  engaged  in  filling  the  watei'-casks, 
when  one  man  was  killed,  another  wounded,  and  a  third  was 
missing,  of  whom  no  tidings  could  be  obtaiued,  when  a 
force  landed  on  the  following  day  to  seek  for  him.  On  the 
return  of  this  party  the  Ascension  put  to  sea.  During  the 
night  the  vessel  touched  ground,  but  fortunately  floated  off 
without  having  suffered  any  damage. 

Next  day  three  small  ships,  "  Paugaes'^,  were  captured. 
Some  of  their  company  were  brought  on  board,  and  kindly 
treated,  but  suddenly  they  with  their  knives  attacked  the 
crew :  *'  upon  this  occasyon  wee  made  with  them  shorte 
worke,  and  brought  most  part  of  them  by  sundry  wayes  to 
their  last  home;  giving  thankes  to  God  for  this  last  de- 
liverye,  wherein  the  owld  proverbe  was  verrefyed,  That  one 
Myscheife  comes  syldome  alone."  The  goods  found  in  these 
ships,  consisting  principally  of  coarse  calicoes  of  no  great 
value,  were  transferred  to  the  Ascension. 

On  the  night  of  the  ninth  of  January  (1608-9)  there  was 
"  an  eclipes  of  the  moone  w'''^  was  very  fayre,  and  con- 
tinewed  one  hower  and  30  minutes." 

A  supply  of  fresh  water  was  obtained  from  some  unin- 
habited islands  in  latitude  4  deg.  10  min.  south;  there  many 
"  lande  turtles  of  a  hudge  bignes^'  were  found,  also  much 
goodly  ship  timber  grew  on  the  islands. 

On  the  1st  of  April,  the  Ascension  being  off  the  coast 
of  Socotora,  fell  in  with  a  Guzerat  ship  from  Diew/ 
bound  to  Aden,  whither  the  General  arranged  to  accom- 
pany her.  On  the  7th,  the  Ascension  anchored  some  2 
leagues  from  Aden,  which  city  she  next  morning  saluted 

'  Diu. 


122  ADEN. 

with  5  pieces  of  ordnance.  In  the  morning,  the  pilot  of  the 
Guzerat  ship,  with  the  Sabindar  and  the  Admiral  of  the  sea 
for  the  city,  and  divei'S  others^  went  on  board  the  ship.  They 
promised  to  supply  such  things  as  the  ship  required,  and 
added  that  such  goods  as  were  there  vendible  might  be  sold 
upon  paying  the  ordinaiy  customs.  On  the  8th,  the  Gene- 
ral landed  and  had  a  house  assigned  him  by  the  Governor, 
but  was  prevented  from  returning  to  the  ship.  On  the  10th, 
by  the  Generals  order,  the  Ascension  was  warped  in  closer 
to  the  city,  which  she  saluted  with  3  guns ;  the  city  replied 
with  25  guns ;  when,  to  show  the  vessel  was  well  armed,  a 
second  salute  of  14  guns  was  fired.  The  Governor  of  the 
town  sent  word  to  the  Bashaw,  who  resided  at  Sinay,^ 
a  city  distant  seven  days'  journey  from  Aden,  of  the  arrival 
of  the  ship :  the  latter  gave  orders  to  treat  the  company  in 
such  manner  as  would  induce  them  to  return  there  for  trade. 
Notwithstanding  this  order.  Captain  Sharpeigh  was  still 
detained,  the  Governor  at  one  time  promising  to  release  him 
if  he  would  unlade  the  ship,  at  another  time  if  he  would 
settle  about  the  customs.  Finally,  his  liberation  was  pro- 
cured by  exchanging  for  him  two  of  the  Governor's  officers, 
who,  having  boarded  the  Ascension,  had  been  detained  on 
board  as  hostages.  Then  the  Governor  insisted  on  sending 
Mr.  Jourdain  and  Mr.  Glascock  to  the  Bashaw,  but  they 
failed  in  obtaining  from  him  redress.  From  Sinay  they 
went  to  Mocha,"  and  there  rejoined  the  ship. 

''  The  city  is  a  garrison,  and  consystes  more  in 
souldiers  then  in  marchaunts ;  though  frequented  by  some 
fewe  marchaunts  in  some  fashion  from  India,  to  furnishe 
the  place  it  selfe  and  other  places  adjoyninge  thei'eto  w''^  the 
commodetyes  y*  India  affoardes,  w''^  noe  doubt  they  make 
great  bennefytt  thereby.  It  standeth  in  a  valley,  and  hath 
upon  the  northe  syde,  upon  a  lyttell  ilande  or  rocke  cut  out 
of  the  mayne,  a  fayer  castell  tu  sec,  tu'j  invyuccabull  to  be 
'  Sana"  A.  -  El-Muklia. 


MOCHA.  123 

taken  but  by  famyne.  This  castell  commandes  tlie  poavte 
and  liolle  citt3'e,  w""^  for  antycketye  is  famous  :  but  now  for 
waunt  of  repaj'i'iuge  is  very  much  ruinated  and  fcwe  good 
houses  standinge  therein,  a  thing  lammentabell  to  see  the 
ruines  of  fayer  houses  in  y'  sorte  to  bee  raced  downe  to  the 
grounde.  Yet  have  they  a  great  care  for  the  beautefyeinge 
their  citty  to  keepe  the  Avalles  next  unto  the  sea  syde  in 
repparation,  w°^  makes  tlie  citty  shewe  outwardly  very 
fayer/^ 

On  the  8th  of  May,  W.  Revett,  Philip  Glascock,  and 
another,  were  sent  forward  to  Mocha.  At  that  port  they 
found  many  ships  from  Dabul,  Diewe,  Chaull,^  Surat, 
Cocheen,  and  Ormus.  They  were  well  received  by  the 
Governor,  who  gave  them  permission  to  take  a  house.  At 
first  they  occupied  the  house  of  *'a  talkative  lyenge  Jewe, 
w*^''  spake  Spanishe". 

From  a  merchant  of  Surat  they  learned  "for  a  certaiue  of 
Capten  Haukins,  his  being  w*''  the  Hector  at  a  place  called 
Surratt,  where  hee  was  kyndly  entertayned,  and  had  beene 
w^^  the  Kyng,  who  had  graunted  him  to  establish  a  factory 
in  Surratt :  to  w'^^  end  hee  had  sent  away  his  shipp  for 
Bantam,  but  remayned  himself  with  three  more  there". 
With  this  and  other  intelligence,  Glascock  returned  to 
the  General. 

On  the  9th  of  June,  the  Ascension,  which  at  Aden  had 
been  rejoined  by  the  pinnace,  anchored  off  Mocha.  While 
at  sea  some  of  the  pinnace^s  crew  had  murdei'ed  their  master, 
"honest  Jno.  Luffkin'^,  for  which  crime  two  of  their  num- 
ber were  executed. 

Mocha  is  much  resorted  to  by  merchants  from  Constanti- 
nople, Aleppo,  Damascus,  and  'J'ripoli,  who  bring  with  them 
cloth,  kersey,  tin,  all  sorts  of  silk  stuffs,  but  principally  ready 
money,  to  trade  with  those  from  Ethiopia  and  all  parts  of 
India.     "The  citty  is  situated  in  a  playne,  and  consistcs  in 

'  Choul. 


124  MOCHA. 

some  6000  houses,  the  3  partes  whereof  ai-e  of  caines  covered 
of  straw  (y6  reason  is)  ;  it  rayneth  very  lyttell  there.  It 
hath  the  water  from  wells,  some  myles  out  of  the  citty,  and 
brought  in  by  poore  peopell  upon  asses,  by  w'^'^  meanes  they 
gett  their  Hvinge.  It  hath  neither  walls,  castell,  nor  fort, 
nor  garde  of  souldiers.  But  the  chiefe  raauutenaunce  of  it 
is  j"  trade  of  marchaunts,  w"'^  with  the  easterly  monsones 
commeth  out  of  India  to  sell  their  marchandize  unto  the 
mai'chaunts  afforesayd,  w''^  commeth  by  bark  from  Swes^  and 
Zidda.'^  "  Now,  by  reason  of  troubles  in  Zidda^  and  other 
places  in  those  partes,  this  citty  serveth  the  marchaunts  of 
Constantinopell,  Alleppo,  Trippolie,  Damasco,  and  Grand 
Cairo,  of  turbanes,  callicoes  of  all  sortes,  pyntadoes,  and 
divers  other  coullored  stuffes,  as  also  white  of  great  vallew, 
w"'  all  sortes  of  spyce,  cotton,  wolle,  and  in  fyne  indico, 
w'''^  goeth  by  this  passadge  into  most  i^artes  of  the  worlde. 
They  binnge  also  and  serveth  this  place  out  of  India  much 
iron,  w^*^  they  reape  great  benuefytt  by,  and  are  shewer  of 
ther  sales." 

"  They  make  no  meanes  to  fortefy,  for  y'  the  peopell  say- 
eth  they  have  2  proffetts  w'^'^  remayneth  in  the  citty,  and 
have  each  of  them  their  Muscito,  w''^  is  a  church  or  house  of 
devotion.  These  proflFetts  by  watch  night  and  day,  as  they 
say,  doe  guard  the  citty.  The  one  of  them  is  called  Shaomer 
Shadli,  and  the  other  Shedhla  Amoode.  Shaomer  Shadli 
was  the  fyrst  inventor  for  drynking  of  CofFe,  and  therefore 
had  in  esteemation:  the  other  for  some  superstitous  matters 
had  in  honour." 

"  The  peopell  ai-e  very  affabell  (and  degennerate  from 
them  in  Turkey)  :  for  y^  a  man  may  passe  heere  quyetly  all 
seasons  both  day  and  night  w"'out  molestation.  Goodes 
lyinge  continually  upon  the  key  w"^out  pylferinge  or  pur- 
loyniuge." 

On  the  20 th  of  July  the  Ascension  sailed  from  Moclia, 
-'  Suez.  '  .liddah. 


SOCOTRA.  ]  25 

and  on  the  12tli  of  August  anchored  off  Socotra.  Tlie 
General  was  induced  bj''  the  natives  to  move  from  that 
anchorage  to  another^  which  they  represented  to  be  more 
convenient  for  obtaining  water  at ;  bat  this  was  found  to 
be  false.  Of  General  Keeling  the  natives  spake  much  and 
favorably,  but  did  not  produce  any  letter  from  him  until 
the  Ascension  was  getting  under  sail.  General  Keeling'a 
letter  was  a  warning  ao-ainst  the  treacherous  dealino-s  of 
those  people.  A  similar  letter,  for  the  benefit  of  any  who 
at  a  future  period  should  touch  at  that  island,  having  been 
sent  on  shore,  the  voyage  was  resumed  on  the  20th  of 
August. 

While  lying  at  Socotra  the  Ascension  lost  all  her  anchors 
except  one. 


THE     VOYAGE 

OP 

CAPTAIN      SHAHPEIGH, 

1608-1C09. 

BEING    THE    FOURTH    VOYAGE     SET    FORTH     BY    THE     EAST     INDIA 

COMPANY. 


II. 

Captain  Alexander  Sharpeigh's  account  of  his  voyage  to  India,  and  of 
the  loss  of  the  A-scoLtioti.^ 

The  Ascension  and  Union  bad  a  quick  passage  from 
England  to  Saldanha  Bay.  After  leaving  that  bay  the 
Ascension  lost  sight  of  the  Union  and  the  pinnace.  Having 
failed  to  obtain  a  supply  of  water  at  Comoro,  Captain 
Sharpeigh  touched  at  the  Island  of  Pemba,  the  natives  of 
which  place  treacherously  attacked  his  men  who  were 
engaged  in  filling  the  water-casks.  On  the  day  after  this 
attack  he  put  to  sea ;  duriiig  the  night  the  Ascension 
touched  the  ground,  but  fortunately  floated  off  without  sus- 

'  MS.  in  the  India  Office,  six  and  three-quarter  folio  pages.  This 
account  is  contained  in  a  letter  written  by  Captain  Sharpeigh  to  the 
"Right  AVorii  and  AVor'i  Sirs".  The  date  at  which  it  was  written  is  not 
given ;  and  the  place  he  was  at,  when  writing,  is  only  alluded  to  as 
"this  place".     On  a  blank  prefixed  to  the  journal  there  is  this  note: — 

"  Laus  Deo.     On  hoard  the  Trodes  Increase,  5  April,  1G12. 
"  Captain  Sharpeigh  to  Captain  John  Saidry,  Governor  of 

the  English  Fleet  in  Moa  Koads. 
"  Captain  Sharpeigh  cautions  Captain  Saidry  against  the  false  dealing 
of  the  natives,  and  relates  the  treatment  he  himself  had  experienced  at 
the  hands  of  the  Governor  of  Aden,  At  INIocha  he  had  spent  two  months 
without  buying  or  selling.  No  donbt  Captain  Saidry  will  find  the 
letters  he  has  brought  with  him  very  effectual :  yet  he  must  beware  of 
the  Basha  and  Aga;  they  will  talk  him  into  landing  his  goods,  and  will 


ADEN    AND    MOCITA.  127 

taining  any  damage.  Next  day  three  small  native  sliips 
were  captured,  and  some  tliirty  men  of  their  crews  were 
brought  on  board  the  ship.  These  men  were  seemingly 
unarmed,  but  suddenly  they  with  their  knives  attacked  the 
Ascension's  crew,  for  which  they  were  either  put  to  the 
sword  or  thrown  overboard. 

A  further  supply  of  fresh  water  was  obtained  at  some 
islands  in  latitude  four  degrees  ten  minutes  south. 

Off  the  Island  of  Socotra  the  Ascension  fell  in  with  a 
Guzerat  ship  ;  in  company  with  this  vessel  Captain  Shar- 
peigh  pi-oceeded  to  Aden.  At  that  city  he  was  at  first 
kindly  entertained  by  the  Governor,  who,  however  refused 
him  permission  to  retui-n  to  the  ship.  Finally,  Captain 
Sharpeigh  ''by  a  slight'',  got  on  board,  first  having  pro- 
mised to  pay  customs  not  only  for  the  goods  on  shore,  but 
also  for  those  in  the  ship.  The  Governor  insisted  on  send- 
ing Jourdain  and  Glascock  to  the  Bashaw,  from  whom  they 
failed  in  obtaining  any  redress,  and  he  told  them  that  in 
future  he  would  not  allow  any  persons  to  remain  in  those 
parts,  unless  they  had  the  Grand  Turk's  command  to  him 
to  do  so. 

From  Aden  Captain  Sharpeigh  went  to  Mocha,  where 
Jourdain  and  Glascock  rejoined  him.  From  Mocha  he 
returned  to  Socotra,  where  the  Ascension  lost  all  her  anchors 

then  do  him  a  mischief.  Captain  Sharpeigh  hopes  that  this  will  be  a 
warning  to  Captain  Saidry." 

Dated  Babamandell,  the  5th  April,  1G12.  (Three-quarters  of  a  folio 
page.) 

"  The  Hollanders  had  factories  at  the  four  following  ports  on  the 
coast  of  Coromandel,  viz. — 

"1.  Carapatani  in  the  Territory  of  Tanjore,  16  leagues  from  St 
Thome. 

"  2.  Pellicatt,  22  leagues  from  Carapatam,  and  G  leagues  from  St. 
Thome. 

";>.  Arremagam,  8  leagues  from  Pellicat. 

"4.   Pettiiiillie,  24  leagues  from  Arrema'^am." 


128  THE    WRECK    OF    THE  "  ASCENSION". 

save  cue.  Yv^'hilo  off  that  island  tlie  pinnace  had  again 
parted  company  from  the  Ascension^  being  driven  out  to  sea 
by  adverse  winds. 

Having  on  the  20th  of  August,  1609^  sailed  from  Socotra, 
the  Ascension  next  anchored  iii  a  bay  some  thirty  leagues 
south  of  Diwe.  At  that  place  no  pilot  could  be  obtained 
to  carry  the  ship  to  Surat.  On  again  setting  sail  the 
master  shaped  his  course  in  accordance  with  the  information 
which  he  had  obtained  at  Mocha,  from  the  pilot  of  a  great 
ship  of  Surat,  and  also  by  a  '^  Plott  or  draught  of  the  Bay 
of  Cambay''',  which  the  same  pilot  had  given  him.  With 
frequent  use  of  the  lead  the  Ascension  ran  into  10,  9,  8, 
and,  suddenly,  4}^  fathoms  of  water.  The  master  attempted 
to  carry  her  across  the  shoal,  but  she  struck  astern,  which, 
though  no  great  blow,  carried  away  the  rudder.  As  she 
floated  off  her  anchor  was  let  go,  which  held  her  for  some 
time;  but  during  the  following  evening  it  gave  way,  when 
she  struck  frequently  with  great  foi'ce,  and  began  to  leak  to 
such  an  extent  that  in  two  hours  all  hopes  of  saving  her 
were  lost.  At  midnight,  the  ship's  hold  being  then  full  of 
watei',  the  crew,  to  the  number  of  78  persons,  left  her  in 
two  boats,  and  the  wind  being  fair  the  next  day  they  fell  in 
with  the  land.  At  first  they  supposed  it  was  the  bar  of 
Surat,  but  it  proved  to  be  that  of  "  Gadavee". 

There  Captain  Sharpeigh  learned  that  the  pinnace,  having 
entered  the  river,  had  been  seized  by  the  Portugals,  who 
"  had  no  other  thing  save  stones  for  their  purchase",  for  the 
crew  had,  in  anticipation  of  an  attack,  removed  all  the 
goods,  and  thrown  the  ordnance  overboard. 

"  Some  40  miells  up  the  river  is  the  towne  of  Gadavie, 
where  we  landed,  and  were  curtesly  enterteined  by  the 
Governor,  and  the  next  day  sentt  us  away,  fearing  the 
Porttingalls  to  come  and  take  us  from  hime." 

A  journey  of  two  days  carried  the  company  to  Suratt, 
where  they  found  W.    Finch  and  three  other  Englishmen. 


i 


AND  ESCAPE  OF  THE  CREW.  129 

Tlicy  wore  not  allowed  to  enter  the  city,  but  remained  in  a 
neighbouring  village  during  some  fourteen  days^  after  which 
time  the  party,  except  some  of  their  number  who  had  by 
stealth  entered  the  city,  set  out  for  ''  this  place". 

After  travelling  for  18  days  Captain  Sharpeigh  and  his 
company  reached  the  city  of  "  Baramportt^'j  where  he  was 
attacked  by  -a  fever.  While  he  was  ill  most  of  the  men  left 
him,  some  for  Surat,  others  for  ''this  place". 

Upon  recovery  he  set  out  from  Baramportt,  having  pre- 
viously obtained  a  pass  from  "  Caun  Cauntt",  the  King's 
General  in  those  parts.  On  the  second  day  of  the  journey 
a  cabinet  containing  the  King's  letters  and  some  money 
was  stolen :  in  hopes  of  recovering  this  cabinet  Captain 
Sharpeigh  returned  to  Baramportt,  but  failed  to  recover  it. 
The  General,  who  was  much  grieved  at  his  misfortune,  gave 
him  a  letter  to  the  King,  in  which  mention  was  made  of  the 
loss  of  the  King's  letters.  With  this  letter  Captain  Sharpeigh 
again  started,  and  arrived  in  safety  at  "  this  place",  "  where 
the  King  att  presentt  is  not,  but  w*^'Mn  these  20  dayes  wilbe 
heare,  untill  when  I  know  not  how  he  will  take  the  losse  of 
y''  letters." 

Captain  Hawkins  was,  by  all  accounts,  in  great  favour 
with  the  king  and  nobles  ;  the  former  had  granted  him  the 
pay  of  400  horse  (with  a  promise  to  increase  it  to  that  of 
1000),  and  the  privilege  of  free  trade. 

Should  the  Company  determine  to  trade  in  the  Red  Sea, 
it  would  be  well  to  "  procure  the  Great  Turks  Com*°  and 
Copie  of  our  priveledges,  or  elce  there  wylbe  noe  tradinge 
hither.  Y®  portt  must  be  Mocha,  for  Aden  is  a  Towne  of 
Garisone."  The  commodities  of  the  country  are  not  fit  for 
England  ;  but  Indian  goods  were  the  same  as  at  Aleppo  and 
Alexandria,  only  better  and  cheaper. 

There  must  be  two  Factors,  one  with  the  Bashaw  at 
Cenaw,^  the  other  at  Mocha. 

»  Sana'  k. 

K 


130  ATJVICE    OF    CAPTAIN    SHARPKIOH. 

Ships  for  the  Red  Sea  must  be  at  the  Cape  in  March  or 
April,  as  then  the  wind  is  fair  for  the  voyage  to  Socotra  and 
Mocha. 

Ships  trading  in  the  East  must  carry  out  with  them 
pinnaces  of  force  to  enable  them  to  embark  their  cargoes 
"  despitte  of  the  Porttingalls  whoe  ordinarily  in  the  somer 
lye  at  the  Bar,  with  40  or  50  frigattes,  that  noe  boatte  can 
goe  in  or  out  w*^out  their  license'\ 

Captain  Sharpeigh  concluded  by  hoping  that  judgment 
on  any  charges  brought  against  him  would  be  suspended 
until  he  returned  to  England.  If  again  employed  he  would 
sei've  faithfully. 

There  must  be  greater  care  for  the  future  in  selecting  the 
crews  of  ships,  both  of  men  skilled  in  mariners'  art,  and  of 
men  of  general  good  conduct. 


SIXTH     VOYAGE 

SKT  FORTH  BY 

THE     EAST     INDIA     COMPANY. 


INSTRUCTIONS  GIVEN  BY  THE  GOVERNOR  AND   COMMITTEE    OP  THE 

COMPANY  OP   MERCHANTS    TRADING    TO    THE   EAST   INDIES    TO 

LAWRENCE  PEMELl/  THE    PRINCIPAL    PACTOR,  AND  THE 

OTHER  PACTORS  EMPLOYED  IN  THE  SIXTH  VOYAGE." 


I. 

1.  Directions  to  pay  attention  to  the  instructions  con- 
tained in  the  general  Commission,  a  copy  of  which  was  pro- 
vided for  the  factors. 

2.  That  much  is  expected  from  Femell,  as  Chief  Factor, 
in  consequence  of  the  strong  recommendations  and  high 
opinion  had  of  him.  That  at  whatever  places  he  shall  visit, 
or  at  which  he  may  found  a  factory,  he  is  to  oLtain  full 
information  relative  to  the  manners  and  condition  of  the 
natives;  the  form  of  government;  what  commodities, 
especially  woollens  and  other  goods  of  home  manufacture 
brought  from  England,  are  most  vendible,  whereby  trade 
may  be  carried  on  without  sending  out  money  ;  also  what 
should  be  the  quality,  quantity,  colour  and  price  of  such 
goods,  and,  in  regard  to  cloth,  whether  it  should  be  high 
shorn  or  low,  strained  or  unstrained  ;  lastly  to  advise  what 
other  goods  it  may  be  expedient  to  provide. 

3.  To  report  the  commodities  of  each  country  best  suited 
to  be  sent  home  to  England,  or  for  trade  at  other  places  in 
the  East.     What  trade  the  people  have  with  other  nations 

'  Lawrence  Femell  was  a  merchant  iu  Reeling's  voyage. 
-  Original  MS.,  seven  and  a  quarter  folio  pagt'S. 

k2 


132  INSTRUCTIONS    TO 

neighbouring  to,  or  remote  from  themselves ;  and  what 
goods  are  used  in  such  trade.  To  give  the  value  of  the 
coins  of  each  country,  and  their  respective  weights,  and  also 
the  different  measures.  Also  to  mention  all  other  things 
with  which  it  may  be  useful  for  the  Committee  to  be 
acquainted.  The  letters  containing  such  information  to  be 
sent  home  by  the  way  of  the  Red  Sea  to  Cairo,  to  the  care 
of  the  "  French  ConsulP^  there,  and  thence  via  Marseilles  to 
England,  or  else  by  caravans  through  Persia  and  across  the 
Caspian  Sea.  For  greater  security  Femell  is  supplied  with 
an  "  Alphabet  of  Caracter'\ 

4.  Should  the  vessels  touch  at  Aden  or  Mocha,  enquiries 
should  be  made  touching  those  of  the  Fourth  Voyage,  to 
whom,  if  they  have  founded  a  factory  there,  every  assistance 
(as  far  as  might  be  convenient)  should  be  rendered,  and 
their  attention  should  be  called  to  the  urgent  command  to 
forward  letters  to  the  Committee.  If  by  letters  or  otherwise 
any  hope  of  maintaining  trade  even  in  English  goods  be 
held  out  to  the  Committee,  they  will  send  other  ships  there. 
Femell  is  to  dispose  of  his  goods  for  gold  or  silver^  if  he  can 
do  so  profitably. 

5.  Upon  arrival  at  Surat,  Femell  is  to  enquire  whether 
Mr.  Wm.  Hawkins,  or  any  other  person  had  settled  capitula- 
tions (for  trade)  with  the  Great  Mogul ;  and  if  such  should 
be  insufficient,  he  is  to  act  as  he  may  deem  expedient,  but 
he  is  also  to  obtain  a  safe  conduct  from  the  King  of  Cam- 
baya  to  carry  on  trade  ;  then,  having  disposed  of  the  ships, 
he  and  such  factors  as  he  may  choose  are  to  repair  to  the 
Great  Mogul  to  make  further  capitulations  for  peaceable 
trade  at  Surat,  or  elsewhere,  "  alwaies  remembringe  the 
honor  of  our  king  and  contry,  and  the  reputations  of  our 
negotiators  in  those  partes'\  Further,  the  Committee  have 
procured  His  Majesty's  letters  to  the  Great  Mogul,  the  origi- 
nal and  copy  whereof  Femell  is  to  take  care  shall  be  delivered 
"  with  that  honor  w'^^  maye  be  w^ell   fittinge  soe  greate  a 


LAWRENCE    FEMELL.  lo3 

monarclie";  further  he  is  to  present  "  some  honorable  pre- 
sent" to  the  Great  Mogul,  and  to  some  of  the  chief  officers 
of  the  Court. 

G.  For  his  further  information  Femell  is  supplied  with  a 
copy  of  the  privileges  which  Sir  Jaraes  Lancaster  had 
obtained  from  the  King  of  Achin,  but  he  is  not  bound  to 
adhere  strictly  to  their  purport. 

7.  Femell  is  to  obtain  information  whether  a  factory  may 
not  be  founded  at  Dabul,  or  Negratitti  in  the  river  of  Siudus, 
or  at  any  other  port,  where  the  shipping  may  be  in  shelter 
and  be  protected  from  the  Portugals,  and  at  which  factory 
goods  may  be  sold  and  stored. 

8.  To  obtain  information  relative  to  the  breadth,  depth, 
ebbing  and  flowing  of  the  tides,  currents  and  shoals  of  the 
various  ports  ;  the  cost  of  ti'ansporting  goods  from  port  to 
port,  both  by  land  and  sea  ;  and  what  customs  and  duties  are 
payable  at  each  port,  as  also  anchorage  dues,  etc, 

9.  If  there  shall  be  at  Aden  any  goods  of  the  Fourth 
Voyage,  or  at  Surat  of  the  Third  or  Fourth,  to  be  conveyed 
to  England,  such  goods  are  to  be  shipped  on  board  the  ves- 
sels of  the  Sixth  Voyage,  care  being  taken  to  see  that  each 
package  be  properly  branded.  An  inventory  of  such  pack- 
ages, as  well  as  a  record  of  all  buying,  selling,  bartering, 
shipping,  receiving,  and  transporting  of  goods,  with  an  ac- 
count of  all  other  business,  is  to  be  kept  in  a  register,  of 
which  a  true  copy  (signed  by  four  or  five  factors)  is  to  be 
sent  home  by  eveiy  opportunity. 

10.  Femell  is  to  appoint  the  best  qualified  person  under 
him  to  keep  a  journal  and  ledger ;  and  another  man  to 
act  as  cashier,  to  receive  and  pay  out  all  monies ;  also  to 
assign  to  the  other  factors  their  respective  duties.  Fur- 
ther, he  is  to  examine  all  their  accounts  every  week,  or 
ofteuer,  and  to  continue  or  displace  them  from  their  posts 
as  he  may  judge  expedient. 

11.  "  And  because  there  is  noe  meanes  more  prevaileut 


134  INSTRUCTIONS    TO 

to  strenglithea  and  confirm  the  waies  of  tlie  goodly  in 
Kigliteousnes  then  tlie  Spirit  of  God"  ..."  wee  exhorte 
you  in  the  feare  of  God  to  bee  very  carefull  to  assemble  to- 
gether your  whole  familye  every  morninge  and  eveninge, 
and  to  joine  together  in  all  humillitie  w*  harty  prayer  to 
Almighty  God  for  his  mercyfull  protection  and  favour  unto 
you  in  all  your  proceedings." 

12.  As  "  civill  behaviour"  is  very  necessary  to  win  the 
love  and  estimation  of  the  natives^  Femell  is  to  see  that 
there  be  no  contentious  or  quarrels  prejudicial  to  business, 
or  casting  scandal  upon  the  professions  and  religion  of  him- 
self and  his  company,  and  that  none  of  his  people  give  just 
cause  of  complaint  to  any  man. 

13.  Special  care  is  to  be  taken  to  uphold  "  the  honor  of 
our  King  and  the  reputation  of  our  trafficke". 

14.  To  advance  the  sale  of  goods  at  Surat  to  the  utmost. 

15.  With  any  stock  remaining  on  his  hands,  he  is  to  pur- 
chase such  goods  as  will  be  most  vendible  in  England,  and 
to  have  them  ready  for  the  ship's  next  sailing. 

16.  Such  money  as  he  may  have  in  hand  and  be  unable 
to  invest  in  goods  for  shipuient,  he  is  to  employ  in  trade  in 
the  country  for  the  Company's  benefit. 

17.  If  at  any  of  the  places  he  shall  visit,  he  shall  find  any 
of  the  factors  of  the  third  and  fourth  voyages,  whom  he  may 
consider  as  better  qualified  for  their  births  than  those  with 
himself,  he  is  to  continue  them  in  their  charges,  provided 
that  they  are  to  expect  no  increase  of  wages  beyond  the 
amounts  they  had  already  agreed  to  ;  further,  they  are  not 
to  receive  their  pay  until  they  return  to  England,  or  they 
may  have  it  handed  over  to  their  relatives  in  that  country, 
but  while  abroad  they  are  not  to  draw  for  more  than  £10  or 
20  marks  per  annum  (at  the  rate  of  five  shillings  sterling 
for  the  rial  of  eight)  to  provide  themselves  with  clothing  : 
further,  no  factor  is  to  be  allowed  to  carry  on  private  trade. 

3  8.  If  any  of  the  factors  object  to  serve  on  these  terms, 


LAWKENCU    FEMELL.  135 

tliey  are  to  be  sent  home  to  England  ou  the  first  oppor- 
tunity. As  the  Committee  wish  to  obtain  from  Mr.  Haw- 
kins more  particular  information  about  the  East,  ho  is  to 
return  home  as  soon  as  convenient. 

19.  To  be  careful  to  buy  the  best  sort  of  goods.  Also 
all  goods  to  be  carefully  packed^  and  each  package  branded. 

20.  Invoices  to  be  sent  home  by  every  ship.  The  cost  of 
all  goods  to  be  clearly  set  forth.  Further,  invoices  of  all 
goods  and  their  value  remaining  on  hand  to  be  forwarded 
to  the  Committee. 

21.  To  report  concerning  the  pearl  fisheries  of  Ormuz. 

22.  When  Femell  shall  have  repaired  to  the  Great  Mogul, 
or  otherwise  shall  be  settled  in  the  country,  he  is  to  en- 
deavour by  the  aid  of  the  Great  Mogul,  or  of  his  chief  offi- 
cers to  obtain  restitution  for  the  goods  seized  by  the  Portu- 
gals  in  the  river  of  Surat,  and  also  the  release  of  those 
servants  of  the  Company  then  captives  at  Goa.  Further,  he 
is  to  try  to  procure  a  freedom  from  customs  (both  in- 
wards and  outwards)  levied  on  goods  and  money,  or  at  least 
money  to  be  free,  and  a  reasonable  rate  only  to  be  levied  on 
such  goods  as  may  be  landed,  all  remaining  in  the  ships 
being  duty  free. 

23.  Special  vigilance  enjoined  with  regard  to  the  Por- 
tugals. 

21.  Two  gold  rings  set  with  emeralds  are  to  be  disposed 
of  as  presents  in  such  manner  as  may  most  benefit  the 
Company. 

In  case  of  Femell's  death,  previous  to  arrival  at  Sui'at, 
John  Fowler  is  to  be  chief  factor,  with  Hugh  Train,  Ben- 
jamin Greene,  Kobert ,  Thomas  Glemham,  John  Wil- 
liams, Francis  Slany,  Rowland  Webb,  John  Stoughton,  and 
Baily  Ball,  to  rank  successively  after  him  in  case  of  further 
mortality  :  at  Surat,  in  event  of  Mr.  Femell's  death,  Mr. 
Hawkins  is  to  be  chief  agent,  the  others  to  take  rank  after 
him. 


136  INSTEUCTIONS    TO    FEMELL. 

If  Mr.  Femell  survive  till  he  arrives  at  Surat,  or  settles 
elsewhere  in  the  East  Indies,  he  is  to  name  his  own  suc- 
cessor, making  choice  from  the  factors  who  accompany  him 
as  well  as  from  those  already  out  there.  All  obedience  is  to 
be  rendered  to  the  chief  factor,  and  regard  paid  to  priority 
of  rank.  If  any  factor  be  chosen  to  fill  a  position,  the  late 
holder  of  which  drew  higher  wages,  he  is  to  receive  no  in- 
crease of  pay,  the  Committee  retaining  to  themselves  the 
power  to  reward  such  factor  on  his  return.  Baily  Ball  is,  if 
possible,  to  be  given  a  better  post  than  that  of  steward  on 
board  the  Peppercorn. 

Finally,  Femell  is  to  be  careful  to  procure  "anie  rare 
thinges",  as  birds,  animals,  or  other  things  fit  to  present  to 
His  Majesty  or  to  the  Noble  Lords  that  are  the  Company's 
honorable  friends.  He  is  to  forward  such  home  in  charge 
of  careful  men.  If  any  mariner  has  any  curiosity  as  above- 
mentioned,  and  refuses  to  part  with  it  on  reasonable  terms, 
Femell  is  to  inform  the  Committee  that  they  may  take  steps 
accordingly. 

Signed  by 

S"  Thomas  Smith,  Governor. 
S*  John  Wattes. 

KoBEKT  Bell.  Hugh  Hameesly. 

William  Haeryson.      Eoleet  Middelton. 

RoBEET  Ofley.  Thomas  Stiles. 


COMMISSION    TO    SIR    U.    MIDDLETON.  137 


II. 

COMMISSION  ISSUED  TO  SIR  HENRY    MIDDLETON    AND    OTHERS  FOR 
THE  SIXTH  VOYAGE  TO  THE  EAST  INDIES.^ 


1 .  Appointment  of  Sir  Henry  Middleton  to  the  command 
of  the  fleet  consisting  of  the  Trade's  Increase,  Peppercorn, 
and  Darling. 

2.  Appointments  of  Nicholas  Downton  to  be  second  in 
command  ;  of  Benjamin  Greene  to  be  chief  merchant  in  the 
Darling ;  of  Lawrence  Femell  to  be  chief  agent  at  Surat ; 
of  Matthew  Mallineux  to  be  pilot-major  on  board  the  Trade's 
Increase.  All  of  whom  are  to  reuder  due  obedience  to  their 
superiors  in  rank. 

o.  Each  ship's  company  to  assemble  morning  and  evening 
for  prayers. 

4.  Blasphemy,  swearing,  thieving,  drunkenness,  and  other 
disorderly  conduct,  to  be  severely  punished.  No  gambling 
to  be  permitted,  as  the  same  generally  leads  to  quarrel- 
lings  and  murders,  and  is  provocative  of  God's  vengeance. 

5.  A  special  order  is  to  be  issued  ''that  noe  liquor  bee 
spilte  in  the  ballaste  of  the  shippe,  nor  fithines  bee  lefte 
within  bourde",  as  the  same  cause  illness,  but  special  care 
is  to  be  taken  to  keep  the  ships  sweet  and  clean. 

6.  The  general,  lieutenant,  and  master  of  each  ship  to  re- 
ceive an  inventory  of  all  stores  on  board  before  the  ship 
leaves  the  Thames,  such  stores  to  be  kept  under  lock  and 

*  Original  JNISS.,  seven  and  a  quarter  and  fourteen  and  a  half  folio 
pages. 

This  volume  contains  copies  of  the  Instructions  given  to  Lawrence 
Femell,  the  chief  factor ;  and  of  the  Commission  issued  to  Sir  Henry 
INIiddleton,  Nicholas  Downton,  and  others,  for  their  guidance  during  the 
Sixth  Voyage. 

The  manuscript  is  injured  throughout,  a  small  piece  at  the  foot  of 
each  page  having  been  worn  or  torn  away. 


138  COMMISSION    TO 

key  until  the  ship  is  at  sea^  when  they  are  to  be  handed  over 
to  the  charge  of  the  various  officers  who  are  to  have  charge 
of  such.  All  stores  to  be  entered  in  the  purser's  books 
when  issued^  and  only  to  be  issued  on  the  warrant  of  the 
general^  lieutenant,  or  chief  merchant  of  each  ship,  such 
wai-rants  to  be  duly  registered  by  the  purser. 

7.  The  genei-al  and  his  master  to  issue  such  instructions 
to  the  commanders  of  the  other  vessels  as  may  prevent  the 
vessels  getting  separated  on  the  voyage. 

8.  A  journal  to  be  kept  of  each  day's  navigation  and  of 
all  circumstances  that  may  occur.  Such  journals  to  be  kept 
by  the  lieutenant,  merchant,  purser,  pilots,  and  master's 
mates,  who  are  from  time  to  time  to  compare  their  notes. 

9.  At  all  places  at  which  the  fleet  may  touch,  the  general 
and  other  officers  are  to  warn  the  men  to  behave  civilly  and 
peaceably  towards  the  natives,  so  that  supplies  may  be  easily 
obtained.  Discretion  is  to  be  used  in  eating  fruits  and  fresh 
victuals,  which  the  general  is  to  have  served  out  in  modera- 
tion. The  sick  to  be  specially  cared  for.  No  straggling  to 
be  allowed  at  any  place  where  the  men  may  be  sent  ashore. 

10.  The  general,  merchants,  and  ships'  companies  to 
draw  up  an  agreement  in  writing  relative  to  the  disposal  of 
the  possessions  of  such  of  their  nuuiber  as  may  die  on  the 
voyage,  such  goods  either  to  be  stored  away  until  the  ships 
return,  or  sold  at  the  mast,  in  which  case  no  man  to  be 
allowed  to  spend  more  than  one-third  of  his  pay.  No  buy- 
ing, selling,  or  exchanging  to  be  allowed  on  board.  No 
man  to  be  allowed  to  ship  more  goods  than  his  chest  will 
hold,  such  goods  to  be  registered  in  the  purser's  books 
under  pain  of  forfeiture  to  the  Company.  If  a  factor  dies, 
his  goods,  books,  and  accounts  to  be  registered  by  the 
purser  and  brought  back  to  England. 

]  1.  For    the    preservation    of    health,    as    each    cask   is 
emptied  of  fresh  water,  it  is  to  be  filled  with  salt  water. 
12.   On  the  passage  between   the  Island  of  St.  Lawrence 


SIR    HENRY    MIDDLETOX.  139 

and  the  coast  of  ''  Sopliola^'  care  to  be  taken  to  avoid  the 
"  Flattes  of  India",  npon  which  tlici-e  are  strong  currents. 

13.  The  General  to  use  his  discretion  about  refreshing  at 
Saldania,  or  in  the  Bay  of  St.  Augustine,  the  necessity  of 
reaching  Surat  by  the  end  of  September  being  duly  con- 
side  red^  as  well  as  the  chances  of  obtaining  refreshment  at 
Socotra^  of  purchasing  the  Aloe  Socotrina,  and  of  setting  up 
the  pinnace  at  that  island. 

14.  The  Committee  recommend  the  General  to  touch  at 
Socotra,  as  he  may  there  meet  Guzerats,  from  whoTn  he  may 
obtain  intelligence  about  W"'.  Hawkins  and  the  other  factors 
left  at  Surat  by  the  Hector.  If  the  monsoon  does  not  suit 
for  the  voyage  to  Surat^  the  General  is  to  visit  Aden  and 
Mocha,  at  which  places  he  is  to  buy  only  cloves,  mace,  and 
nutmegs,  which  are  as  valuable  at  Surat  as  in  England. 
At  Aden  and  Mocha  he  is  to  see  that  his  men  do  not  give 
offence  to  the  natives. 

15.  Upon  arrival  at  Surat  every  means  is  to  be  used  to 
learn  tidings  of  William  Hawkins  and  the  other  factors. 
Upon  any  one  of  them  joining  the  ship  information  is  to  be 
obtained  from  him  relative  to  the  state  of  the  country,  the 
reception  the  factors  had  met  with,  what  privileges  have 
been  obtained,  what  goods  are  in  most  demand,  and  what 
goods  are  in  hand  ready  for  shipping  :  further,  what  com- 
modities are  there  suited  for  England,  or  for  Bantam,  Pi'ia- 
man,  Banda,  and  the  Moluccas,  and  whether  such  can  be 
shipped  in  time  to  enable  the  fleet  to  benefit  by  the  mon- 
soon ;  what  force  the  S^^aniards  can  muster ;  and  how  far 
the  Guzei'ats  may  be  inclined  to  aid  the  Company's  servants. 
If  any  encouragement  is  given,  the  Darling,  with  Lawrence 
Ffemell,  is  to  be  despatched  with  all  speed  towards  Bantam, 
etc. 

IG.  The  lead,  tin,  elephants'  teeth,  quicksilver,  vermilion, 
sword-blades,  red  lead,  cloth,  kerseys,  looking-glasses,  and 
red  caps  (if  expedient),  to  be  sent  up  to  Surat  in  frigates. 


140  COMMISSION    TO 

Before  an  agent  goes  up  to  Surat,  the  General  is  to  consider 
with  him  and  the  other  factors  in  what  manner  His  Majesty's 
letters  are  to  be  delivered^  and  what  presents  are  to  be 
given  and  to  whom.  Such  pieces  of  the  velvet,  provided 
for  presents,  as  the  General  in  his  discretion  does  not  give 
away,  he  is  to  sell ;  further,  he  may  make  use  of  some  of  the 
gilt  plate  for  the  former  purpose. 

17.  If  the  former  factors  have  not  procured  a  house  large 
enough  to  receive  the  people  and  goods,  the  chief  agent  is 
to  confer  with  them  relative  to  obtaining  a  larger  building. 

18.  The  question  of  despatching  the  ships  and  of  selling 
the  goods  at  current  prices  to  be  carefully  considered,  re- 
gard being  had  to  the  fact  that  the  prices  asked  will  be  re- 
garded as  a  precedent  for  the  future.  If  it  be  thought 
better  to  hold  such  goods  over,  the  lading  for  the  ships 
(homeward  bound)  may  be  purchased  with  the  money  in 
hand,  and  such  forwarded  by  the  Peppercorn  and  Darling, 
if  there  be  sufficient  for  both  vessels ;  the  goods  of  each 
voyage  being  marked  and  numbered  separately.  The  most 
desirable  commodities  for  sending  home  are  indigo,  both 
round  and  flat,  of  the  best  quality ;  calicoes,  white,  of  good 
quality ;  calicoes,  light-coloured,  only  the  best  qualities ; 
strasses  of  all  sorts ;  cinnamon,  twenty  tons  of  the  best 
Ceylon,  well  packed ;  cotton-yarn,  twenty  tons  of  the  finest, 
also  five  tons  of  a  coarser  quality  ;  green  ginger,  four  tons ; 
red  sa(ndal)  wood,  three  tons;  "  Turbithe",  two  tons; 
opium,  .  .  .  pounds  weight ;  Benjamin,  ten  tons,  if  it  can 
be  had  at  a  reasonable  rate ;  "  Sail  armoniack",  two  tons  ; 
olibanum,  ten  tons  ;  lignum  aloes,  as  much  as  possible ; 
worm  seeds ;  gumlac,  both  best  and  second  qualities ;  and 
silk  of  Persia,  a  good  quantity.  Upon  the  despatch  of  the 
above  goods  to  England,  the  General  in  the  Trade's  In- 
crease is  to  proceed  to  Priaman,  Banda,  and  the  Moluccas. 

19.  At  Priaman,  the  iron,  calicoes,  and  pintadoes,  are  to 
be  disposed  of  for  gold,  or  pepper,  of  whicli  latter  four  hun- 


SIR    HENRY    MIDDLETON.  141 

dred  tons  are  to  be  purchased.  Too  much  anxiety  to  pur- 
chase pepper  must  not  be  allowed  to  appear,  nor  the  natives 
be  allowed  to  imagine  that  there  is  much  calicoe  on  board. 
From  Priaman  the  ship  is  to  proceed  to  Bantam  and  there 
discharge  the  iron,  lead,  calico,  and  cloth,  and  to  ship  silk 
only. 

20.  Upon  ariival  at  Banda  a  suitable  present  is  to  be 
made  to  the  Governor.  Nutmegs  and  mace  to  be  purchased, 
the  latter  to  be  of  the  largest  and  brightest  description. 
While  such  are  being  provided  the  ship  is  (if  convenient)  to 
proceed  to  the  Moluccas  to  purchase  cloves  ;  then  to  return 
to  Banda  to  ship  the  nutmegs  and  maces,  and  from  thence 
(leaving  factors  and  sufficient  stock  behind)  to  sail  for  Ban- 
tam, and  there  to  take  in  silk  and  other  goods  for  London. 
Then,  having  received  invoices  (signed  by  the  factors)  of  all 
stock  left  at  those  places,  the  General  is  with  all  speed  to 
get  under  weigh  for  England.  The  accounts  of  each  adven- 
ture to  be  kept  separately. 

If  at  Surat  there  be  no  sale  of  the  goods  left  there,  such 
commodities  are  (when  the  monsoon  suits)  to  be  carried 
back  to  Aden  and  Mocha,  and  employed  in  the  purchase  of 
such  goods  as  the  junks  may  bring  to  those  ports. 

21.  If  there  is  no  trade  to  be  done  at  Surat,  the  Gene- 
ral is  to  invite  the  Guzerats  to  meet  him  at  the  Island 
of  Socotra,  where  there  would  be  no  customs  to  pay.  If 
there  be  no  employment  for  Femell  and  the  other  factors  at 
Surat,  they  are  to  go  to  Aden  or  Mocha,  or  to  such  other 
places  as  the  General  may  decide  upon.  Should  the  General 
sail  for  Bantam,  he  is  to  dispose  of  the  ships  as  he  thinks 
best,  and  Femell  is  to  be  left  there  as  chief  agent  with  some 
of  the  factors,  the  others  to  be  placed  at  Banda ;  in  this 
case,  all  the  old  factors,  except  Spalding  and  two  others  who 
have  learned  the  language,  to  be  removed  from  Bantam. 

22.  Such  factors  as  remain  on  board  the  ships  to  be 
employed   in  weighing   and  paying  for  goods  ;  nothing  to 


142  COMMISSION    TO 

be  done  witliout  their  privity,  and  all  business  transactions 
to  be  entered  in  tlieir  books.  Every  niglit  they  are  to 
make  a  report  to  the  commander  of  the  ship  of  all  business 
done  during  the  day,  and  they  are  also  to  compare  their 
books  daily  with  those  of  the  purser  to  see  that  all  goods 
bought  have  been  delivered. 

23.  All  business  transactions  at  each  place  to  be  entered 
by  the  factors  in  books  sent  out  to  them  for  that  purpose, 
such  books  to  serve  as  records  for  their  successors,  and 
copies  only  of  the  same  to  be  sent  home  to  the  Committee. 
None  of  the  factors  to  be  suffered  to  bring  away  any  books 
of  accounts,  but  only  copies  thereof  signed  by  their  suc- 
cessors and  two  other  factors,  such  copies  to  be  sealed  up. 

Further,  the  General  is  to  obtain  information  relative  to 
harbours  and  places  (to  prepare  for  the  sale  of  English 
goods)  about  Dabul,  in  the  River  Sindus  or  Saree,  at  Cape 
Resolgate,  or  any  ports  on  the  coast  of  Arabia,  free  from 
enemies  and  affording  kind  entertainment,  where  the  ships 
of  the  Company  might  meet  those  of  the  Moors,  Guzerats, 
and  other  nations.  The  ports  of  Socotra  being  particularly 
recommended  to  him  for  that  purpose. 

24.  No  person  who  shall  succeed  by  appointment  or 
otherwise  to  any  command  or  office,  either  in  a  ship  or 
factory,  shall  take  or  be  allowed  the  wages  of  his  predecessor, 
but  shall  only  draw  his  own  salary  without  any  further 
demand  on  the  Company,  unless  the  Governor  or  Committee 
of  the  Company  shall  be  pleased  to  grant  him  a  further 
allowance. 

25.  The  Company  will  account  it  presumption  for  any 
factor  to  call  himself  captain  without  their  express  order 
to  do  so.     Factors  are  to  return  as  private  merchants. 

26.  No  cabins  to  be  altered,  nor  other  alterations  made 
in  the  ships. 

27.  No  increase  of  wages  to  be  awarded  to  any  person, 
but  each  person  upon  his  return  will  have  his  case  considered 


SIR    HENRY    MIDDLETON.  143 

by  the  Com])any.  The  General  is  not  to  remove  any  officer 
fi'om  his  post  without  tlie  advice  of  a  council  consisting-  of 
Nicholas  Downton,  Fenioll,  and  others,  whom  ho  shall  con- 
sult. He  is  to  consult  the  same  with  reference  to  all  business 
of  importance.  On  the  liomeward  voyage  he  is  to  call  to 
his  assistance  such  members  of  the  former  council  as  may 
be  on  board. 

28.  No  man  to  be  allowed  to  indulge  in  private  ti'ade,  nor 
to  bring  home  more  goods  than  will  fit  in  a  chest,  the  same 
to  be  registered  in  the  purser's  books,  so  that  if  any  man  die 
his  friends  may  learn  what  goods  he  owiied. 

29.  Unnecessary  firing  of  salutes  forbidden. 

30.  In  case  of  Sir  Henry  Middleton  dying,  Nicholas  Down- 
ton  is  to  succeed  him.  In  case  of  both  dying,  instructions 
in  writing  in  a  sealed  packet  are  given  with  reference  to  the 
appointment  of  a  new  commander. 

31.  No  persons,  unless  in  the  service  of  the  Company, 
to  be  allowed  to  sail  on  board  the  ships  for  the  East. 

32.  The  General  is  to  use  his  discretion  in  setting  apart 
one  of  the  smaller  ships  to  trade  from  place  to  place  in  the 
Indies,  and  to  carry  home  the  cargo  so  acquired. 

33.  To  prevent  disorder  either  on  the  outward  or  home- 
ward voyages,  the  General  is  forbidden  (unless  compelled 
by  necessity)  to  allow  any  of  his  ships  to  touch  at  Falmouth, 
Plymouth,  or  Dartmouth. 

34.  Relying  on  his  diligence  and  discretion,  the  Com- 
mittee commit  him  to  the  protection  of  Almighty  God. 

Considering  that  a  Commission  was  issued  to  Mr.  Sharpy, 
General  of  the  Fourth  Voya-ge,  to  trade  at  Aden,  Mocha, 
Surat,  etc.,  and  to  found  a  factory  where  most  convenient, 
and  that  it  is  reported  that  he  had  traded  at  Mocha,  Sir 
Henry  Middleton,  upon  arrival  at  Socotra,  is  to  make  en- 
quiries about  him,  and  to  try  by  all  possible  means  to  for- 
ward certain  letters  to  him  and  his  factoi'S,  giving  them  a 
choice  of  being  employed  in  the  Company's  service  or  of  re- 


144  COMMISSION    TO    MIDDLETON. 

turning  by  the  first  ship  to  England,  in  which  case  they  are 
to  bring  some  goods  on  account  of  the  Fourth  Voyage.  If 
there  shall  be  no  tidings  of  them  there,  then  enquiries  are 
to  be  made  at  Bantam,  Priaman,  Banda,  and  the  Moluccas, 
and  if  found  the  letters  are  to  be  delivered  to  them. 

If  the  General  in  his  travels  can  "  convenyently  come  by 
anie  rare  thinges,  as  live  birdes,  or  beastes,  or  any  other 
thinge  fit  for  us  to  present  to  his  Ma"^  or  any  of  the  noble 
Lordes,  w'^'^  are  our  honarable  freudes^',  he  is  to  send  them 
home  to  the  Committee  in  charge  of  careful  persons.  And 
if  he  knows  any  of  the  mariners  to  possess  such,  and  to  re- 
fuse to  part  with  it,  he  is  to  inform  the  Committee,  who  will 
take  steps  accordingly. 


Signed  by 


S''  Thomas  Smith,  Governor, 
Egbert  Bell, 
Robert  Middellton. 
Thomas  Style, 
Hugh  Hammersly. 
RoBT  Oefley. 


THE    SECOND    VOYACE 

OP 

SIR     HENRY     MIDDLETON, 

IGlO-lGll. 
BEING    THE    SIXTH    SET    FORTH    BY    THE    EAST    INDIA    COMPANY,^ 


The  Trade's  Increase,  of  which  Sir  Henry  Micldletou  was 
General,  the  Peppercorn,  and  the  Darling,  accompanied  by 
a  store  ship,  sailed  on  the  1st  of  April,  1610,  from  the 
Downs.  The  fleet  put  into  ''  Saphia"  -  Roads  to  obtain  tim- 
ber to  fish  the  Admiral's  mainmast,  but  failed  to  do  so  ;  and 
next  touched  at  the  Cape  de  Verde  Islands,  from  whence 
they  sailed  on  the  16th  of  May.  At  these  islands  the  store- 
ship  parted  company  from  the  other  vessels. 

On  the  fourth  of  July,  "  the  wind  being  very  much,  and 
fowle  weather,  our  shipe  (the  Peppercorn)  was  veiy  lealce 
in  the  bowes,  and  the  water  ran  into  the  powder  roome 
throw  the  sealinge  and  bulke  head  and  was  5  foote  deepe, 
and  it  wett  us  much  powder.  And  the  same  day  our 
Admirall  borded  us  and  brake  our  head,  and  bore  her  mayne- 
topmaste  by  the  bord". 

The  fleet  on  the  23rd  of  July  entered  Saldanha  Bay,  and 
remained  there  at  anchor  until  the  12th  of  August.  In 
the  Bay  there  was  "  a  greate  hollanse  shipe,  which  was 
Admirall  to  9  sayle,  and  by  reason  of  fowle  weather  shoe 
loste  her  company,  being  bound  for  the  East  India :  and 

'  Sixteen  and  three-quarters  folio  pages.  The  entry  for  the  29th 
January,  lClO-11,  is  the  final  one  in  this  Journal. 

-  Called  Saffee  further  on.  Mis-written,  probably,  for  Sallee  on  the 
coast  of  IMorocco. 


14G  PROCEEDINGS    AT    MOCHA. 

there  were  two  savle  more,  Fleraens,  that  were  fishers  for 
trayne  oj\e." 

When  the  vessels  entered  the  Bay  of  St.  Augustine,  the 
Union  was  found  lying  at  anchor,  "  for  shea  had  road  there 
six  weekes.  And  she  was  in  great  distresse  for  want  of 
vittlesj  so  wee  releved  liir,  for  shee  was  homward  bound, 
laden  with  pej^er,  having  in  hir  one  merchante  w^hose  name 
M'as  Mr.  Bradshew,  for  the  reste  of  the  merchantes  with  the 
Captayne  was  betrayed  at  a  place  caled  Zensebar'^, 

Having  on  the  9th  of  September  set  sail  from  the  Bay  of 
St.  Augustine,  the  fleet  on  the  25th  of  October  anchored  in 
Tamarida  Bay/  from  whence,  five  days,  later,  they  sailed 
for  Aden, 

In  compliance  with  a  request  made  by  the  Deputy-Gro- 
vernor  of  the  town  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  when  he  himself 
with  the  Trade's  Increase  and  Darling  sailed  for  Mocha,  left 
the  Peppercorn  at  Aden  to  carry  on  trade  there.  The  Pep- 
percorn, on  the  17th  of  December,  followed  the  other  vessels 
to  Mocha,  but  without  several  of  her  merchants  and  seamen, 
who  having  landed  were  detained  by  the  Governor. 

On  the  22nd  of  December  "  the  Generall  departed  from 
Moha"  to  Sinna^  to  the  Bashaw,  with  divers  of  his  men  to  the 
number  of  30  and  od  persons,  all  besydes  his  smythes,  car- 
penters and  cockers,  the  which  they  detayned  behinde  there 
for  the  finishinge  of  the  pinnis,  but  faste  in  irons,  and  dayly 
at  there  labor  which  was  unmertifull  and  lamentable  to 
heare,  God  comforte  them'\  On  the  following  day,  Mr. 
Peramerton  succeeded  in  making  his  esca2^e,  and  was  picked 
up  by  a  boat  from  the  Traders  Increase. 

On  the  19th  of  January,  lGlO-11,  the  vessels,  having 
crossed  over  from  Moha,  anchored  off  the  coast  of  "  Abasha" 
on  the  western  side  of  the  Red  Sea.  The  people  of  this 
country  were  friendly,  and  supplied  the  fleet  with  cattle 
and  fresh  water.  The  King's  son  ''  certified  us  how  that 
'  In  Socotra.  -  El-l\Ioklia.  ^  Sana  a. 


PROCKKDINaS    AT    MOCHA.  147 

ilic  Tnrkcs  of  Molia  liad  willed  tlicm  to  betray  us,  and  to 
cutt  our  throates,  and  not  to  let  us  have  any  thing  for  our 
luony". 

On  the  29th  a  letter  was  received  from  the  General,  in 
wliich  he  stated  that  Mr.  Fowler,  with  the  rest  of  the  com- 
pany who  were  with  him  at  Aden,  had  arrived  at  Sina  ;  and 
that  he  himself  hoped  in  a  short  time  to  rejoin  his  ship. 


The  Trades's  Increase^  onboard  of  which  was  Sir  Henry 
Middletou,  General  of  the  fleet,  the  Peppercorn,  and  the 
Darling,  sailed  from  the  Downs  on  the  4th  of  April  1610, 
and  having  on  the  passage  put  into  "  Saffee  in  Barbery^', 
arrived  at  the  Cape  de  Verde  Islands,  from  whence  they 
departed  on  the  loth  of  May. 

On  the  18th  of  June,  Thomas  Love  was  transferred  from 
the  Peppercorn  to  the  Trade's  Increase.  On  that  day  "  we 
had  a  great  feast  and  a  play  playd". 

The  Peppercorn,  during  foul  weather,  ran  into  the  Trade's 
Increase,  but  neither  vessel  suffered  any  serious  injury. 

On  the  23rd  of  Jul}^,  the  vessels  entered  Saldanha  Bay. 
From  Saldanha  they  sailed  to  the  Bay  of  St.  Augustine, 
wdiere  the  Union  was  found  at  anchor.  She  was  homeward 
bound,  and  had   lost   her   Captain  and  chief  merchants  at 

1  IMS.  in  the  India  OfBce,  twenty  and  a  half  folio  j)ages.  The  Jour- 
nal of  the  Sixth  Voyage,  kept  by  Thomas  Love,  extends  from  the  4th 
of  April,  1610,  to  the  4th  of  December,  1611 ;  but  there  are  no  entries 
for  the  period  between  the  13th  of  July  and  the  9th  of  October  of  the 
later  year.  The  latitude,  longitude,  distance  run,  the  course,  and  vari- 
ations, are  recorded  in  a  tabular  form.  The  entries,  some  for  the  month 
of  February  and  a  few  for  June,  relating  to  the  homeward  voyage  of 
the  Peppercorn^  are  in  a  different  handwriting,  and  are  signed  George 
Downton. 

L  2 


148  PROCEEDINGS    AT   MOCHA. 

"  Coiif^gomare"   in    the    north-east    part  of   the  Island  of 
St.  Lawrence. 

From  the  Island  of  Socotra  the  fleet  proceeded  to  Aden, 
which  port  they  entered  on  the  7th  of  November, 

On  the  12th  of  December,  the  General  with  the  Trade's 
Increase  and  Darling-  sailed  for  Mocha,  the  Peppercorn 
being  left  at  Aden  to  carry  on  trade  with  the  people  of 
that  town. 

"  The  14th  day  (of  November),  we  took  in  a  pilott  to  goe 
to  Mocha,  which  pilott  scat  ns  ther  aground.  The  Viso- 
Admirall  came  abord  that  night  and  told  us  that  we  should 
not  fere,  for  the  shepo  would  tack  noe  hurt.  The  15th 
day  they  came  with  ther  bottes  and  toak  oute  some  of  our 
goodes  and  vitteling  to  light  the  shep.  The  IGth  day  lick- 
wis  they  came  and  took  out  more  of  our  goodes  and  vittell. 
That  night  we  staved  50  tune  of  water  in  our  hold,  and  soe 
we  hofe  hur  of  the  ground." 

"  This  day  (the  28th  of  November)  att  night,  our  General!, 
with  all  our  carpendoners  and  trompetters,  our  cornites,  our 
master-surgane,  our  porser,  with  some  of  our  marchantes, 
our  chef  marchant,  and  others  of  theme,  with  some  of  our 
sayleres  to  the  nomber  of  48,  were  all  takene,  some  keld  and 
many  of  theme  hurt.  Which  night  Mr.  Pempertone  with 
his  botte  and  9  of  his  company  and  his  marchant  were  all 
surprysed  at  Mochoe  in  the  Read  Seae.  Whatt  time  thoy 
came  with  3  bootes  fooll  of  mene  in  the  night  to  have  takene 
the  Darlyng  :  but  God  be  thanked,  with  the  loss  of  3  more 
of  ther  men  abord,  they  putt  them  all  to  the  worse  and 
kelde  some  27  of  the  Turkes,  and  bound  many  others; 
notwithstanding  they  knue  nott  of  ther  mistaking  with  the 
reast  of  ther  men  ashore,  and  our  Gcnerall  with  our  men." 

"  22"'  day  (of  December)  the  Gcnerall,  with  all  our  men 
saving  the  carpendores  and  hurt  mene,  went  up  to  the 
Great  Bashae,  they  all  of  them  ridding  uppon  assnecoes 
with  a  very  strong  gard  before  and  behind  theme,  y*'  nott- 


PROCEEDINGS    AT    MOCMIA.  149 

witlistauding  the  mone  sliincng  vorye  bryglit,  and  tlioy  so 
strongly  garded,  Mr.  Pempcrtoue  gave  theme  the  slope  and 
drove  his  asse  into  a  boush  and  mad  downe  to  the  watter 
side,  where  he  found  one  of  ther  paddell  ores  and  a  boott 
riding,  of  which  boott  he  getting  possessioue  of,  we  having 
very  fayer  wether,  he  poutt  himself  to  the  seae  :  when  the 
next  day  being  the  23"^  daj",  we  se  hime  by  a  chance  and 
so  sent  of  our  penncs  and  tuck  hime  up,  he  bing  alniost 
spent  with  rowyng  afore  he  came  to  the  boott." 

On  the  18th  of  January  (1611)  the  three  vessels  sailed 
from  Mocha  ''  for  the  other  side,  which  is  the  land  of 
Ethoopya,  and  there  anchored".  When  a  boat  was  sent 
ashore,  a  crowd  of  natives  received  the  men  on  the  beach, 
"  of  which  company  ther  was  one  came  downe,  which  was 
the  Cheffest  mens  sonne  of  thatt  place,  howe  badd  theme 
very  wellcome,  telling  theme  what  newes  the  Turkes  of 
Mockcoe^  had  sent  them,  which  was  that  we  were  pirattes 
and  leved  uppone  the  spoyell,  and  with  this  dossier,  as  they 
had  taken  our  Generall  with  many  of  our  cheifest  men 
which  we  could  nott  well  spare,  so  they  in  like  sort  should 
if  they  could  by  any  meanes  to  betraye  us  and  cutt  all  our 
throttes.  This  man  comyng  abord  and  certifying  us  of  this 
nOwes  sayd  thatt  what  we  lackt  for  any  cind  of  vettelles 
they  had,  we  should  find  them  verye  reddy  to  furnish  us 
our  watter,  and  towld  us  they  retturnd  this  answere  agayne 
to  the  Turke,  that  we  being  there  with  them,  he  myghfc 
doe  his  plessuer  if  he  could  :  but  they  did  nott  mean  anye 
such  matter^'. 

John  Taylor,  one  of  the  Peppercorn's  crew,  deserted  froui 
his  ship  at  this  place,  but  the  natives  brought  him  back  to 
the  vessel.  They  also  restored  his  knife,  sword,  and  dagger, 
though  they  themselves  were  in  need  of  such  things. 

The  Darling,  having  in  accordance  with  directions  con- 
tained  in  a  letter  written  by  the  General  crossed  over  to 

'  :Mocha. 


150  PROCEEDINGS    AT    SUKAT. 

Mocl.aj  on  the  11th  of  March  rejoined  the  other  vessels. 
There  were  on  board  of  her  thirty-six  persons  who  had 
been  released  from  thraldom. 

On  the  10th  of  May  the  Darling  returned  to  Mocha,  when 
the  Genei'al  with  some  fifteen  others  of  the  company 
escaped  "  out  of  the  cruell  hawkes  handes"  and  succeeded 
in  getting  on  board  her.  Four  days  later  she  was  joined  by 
the  other  vessels. 

Mr.  Femall,  the  chief  merchant^  died  on  the  29th  of  May. 
His  body  was  by  the  General^s  order  opened,  when  the 
cause  of  his  death  was  discovered  to  be  poison. 

From  the  14th  of  May  to  the  19th  of  June,  Sir  Henry 
Middleton  blockaded  the  port  of  Mocha.  He  took  posses- 
sion of  a  ship  fx'om  Diu,  and  some  "  Malybars"  with  other 
vessels.  On  the  latter  date  the  Sabendar  and  some  other 
merchants  made  an  agreement  with  the  General  to  pay  for 
the  goods  which  were  on  shore.  Part  of  the  cargo  of  the 
Diuman  was  pledged  as  a  security  for  the  fulfilment  of  this 
covenant.  The  final  payment  under  this  agreement  was 
made  by  the  Sabendar  on  the  2nd  of  July,  and  on  the  fol- 
lowing day  the  fleet  sailed  from  Mocha. 

In  October  the  vessels  were  off  the  bar  of  Surat,  when 
Captain  Sharpeigh,  Mr.  Gordon,  and  two  more  of  tho 
Ascension^s  crew  embarked  on  board  the  Trade's  Increase. 

During  October  and  November  there  were  several  unim- 
portant encounters  with  the  Portugals,  in  one  of  which  a 
"  Poi'tingal  frigate"  was  captured,  but  most  jjart  of  its  crew 
escaped  by  swimming  ashore. 

The  pinnace  being  thoroughly  rotten  was  dismantled  at 
the  beginning  of  December. 

On  the  8th  of  February,  1012-13,  the  Peppercorn  sailed 
from  Pullopcnjan  for  England.  In  June  she  passed  the 
Island  of  St.  Helena. 


JOURNAL     OF     THE     SIXTH    VOYAGE, 

KEPT    BY 

NICHOLAS    DOWNTON, 

lGlO-1613.' 


On  the  4th  April,  1(310,  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  in  command 
of  a  fleet  consisting  of  the   Trade's  lucreasCj  his  own  ship, 

>  Original  MS.  in  the  India  Office,  21i  folio  pages. 

This  Journal  (a  page  or  two  only  at  the  commencement  being  lost) 
gives  a  complete  history  of  the  Sixth  Expedition  from  the  4th  April, 
1610,  the  date  of  its  departure  from  England,  to  the  4th  February, 
1012-13,  on  which  day  the  Peppercorn^  homeward  bound,  set  sail  from 
Bantam.  After  the  latter  date,  the  Journal  refers  only  to  the  fortunes 
of  that  vessel,  concluding  with  the  account  of  her  arrival  at  Blackwall  on 
the  l9th  November,  1613. 

The  writer  of  the  Journal,  Nicholas  Downton,  or  Doughton,  who  was 
next  in  rank  to  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  the  General  of  the  Expedition, 
commanded  the  Peppercorn  during  the  voyage,  with  the  exception  of  a 
biief  period  in  the  East  Indies,  when  he  had  charge  of  the  Trcule''s  In- 
crease. 

Downton  relates  the  events  of  the  voyage  from  England  to  Aden,  at 
which  port  his  vessel  lay  for  some  time,  and  from  thence  to  Mocha,  to 
which  place,  his  Commander,  with  the  other  two  ships,  had  preceded 
him.  He  records  how  at  Aden  part  of  his  own  crew,  and  at  Mocha  Sir 
Henry  IMiddleton,  with  many  of  his  men,  were  made  prisoners  ;  how 
some  of  the  captives  were  released,  while  others  made  their  escape  ;  and 
the  steps  taken  by  Sir  ilenry  Middleton  to  exact  compensation.  He 
then  gives  an  account  of  the  voyage  from  Mocha  to  Swally ;  of  the  events 
that  occurred  there;  of  various  encounters  at  that  place  with  the  Portu- 
gals,  owing  to  whose  interference  all  attempts  at  trade  were  unsuccess- 
ful ;  of  the  insincerity  of  the  natives ;  and  of  the  manner  in  which  his 
Commander  righted  their  wrongs. 

Downton  next  tells  of  the  return  of  the  fleet  to  jNIocha  ;  of  the  meet- 
ing of  Sir  Henry  Middleton  and  Captain  Saris,  the  Commander  of  the 
Eighth  Voyage,  and  of  their  bickerings  ;  of  Sir  Ilenry  Middleton's 
attempt  to  exact  further  compensations  from  the  Turks;  and  of  his 
thrcald,  that  unless  his  demands  were  complied  with,  he  woulil  carry  the 


152  OUTWARD    BOUND. 

the  Peppercorn,  Captain  Nicliolas  Downtou,  and  the  Dar- 
ling, sailed  from  the  Downs. 

The  fleet  having  encountered  heavy  weather  the  General 
touched  at  "  SafFee'^  in  Barbary^  to  repair  damages^  from 
which  port  he  departed  on  the  21^'^  April.  On  the  29^'^  of 
that  month  the  fleet  were  oft'  the  bar  of  the  "  Sinnego,  w^'^ 
river  is  the  parting  of  Barberye  and  Guinea"  :  from  thence 
their  course  was  shaped  for  the  Cape  de  Verdes,  where  on 
the  1^'  May  they  anchored  oft"  the  Inner  Island,  not  far  from 
a  French  ship. 

Though  the  natives  caught  much  fish  none  was  purchased 
from  them_,  the  Expedition  not  having  been  provided  with 
crystal  beads,  blue  and  white  Counter  ....  bloodstones, 
yellow-hafted  knives,  bars  of  iron  and  bottles  of  aquavitee, 
etc. ;  without  which  neither  cows,  goats,  hens,  wood,  water, 
etc.,  could  be  obtained. 

Here  the  Hollander  which  had  accompanied  the  fleet  from 
the  Downs  departed. 

From  the  first  to  the  sixteenth  of  May  the  crews  were 
employed  in  effecting  repairs  and  in  transferring  provisions 

Indian  ships  with  him  out  of  the  Red  Sea,  and  so  spoil  their  market  for 
that  year  ;  and  how  the  Indian  Merchants,  sooner  than  lose  the  entire 
profits  of  their  ventures,  paid  over  a  sum  by  way  of  composition ;  and 
of  the  proportion  of  that  sum  received  by  Captain  Saris  as  his  share. 
Finally,  Downton  describes  the  voyage  from  Mocha  to  Bantam ;  the 
homeward  trip  of  the  Peppercorn  ;  how,  being  short-handed  with  many 
men  ill,  he  was  forced  by  contrary  winds  to  put  into  Waterford,  where  the 
inhabitants,  hoping  to  force  him  to  sell  part  of  his  cargo,  refused  to 
advance  money  on  bills  drawn  on  Loudon,  and  how  the  Custom's  officer 
of  that  port  generously  supplied  his  wants ;  how  he  himself  was  arrested 
(as  a  pirate)  by  the  Lieutenant  of  the  Fort  of  Duncannon,  with  liis  re- 
lease, and  the  continuance  of  the  voyage  to  Black  wall. 

The  latitude,  course,  distance  run,  direction  of  wind,  and  variations, 
are  given  in  a  tabular  form  for  such  times  as  the  vessel  was  actually 
at  sea. 

lleferences,  too,  are  frequently  made  in  the  Journal  to  maps,  for 
which  blank  spaces  have  becii  left,  but  of  which  not  one  has  been 
filled  up. 


OUTWARD    BOUND.  153 

from  the  Victualler  to  the  other  ships.  When  the  latter 
operation  was  completed,  Mr.  Tucker  in  the  Victualler  sailed 
for  "  Porta  Dalli^'  to  take  in  a  car|:^o  of  hides,  which  a  Dutch- 
man had  made  a  contract  to  supj)ly  :  and  the  fleet  also  put 
to  sea. 

The  king  of  the  country  about  the  Cape  was  called 
Ea}^  Melli,  "  the  confines  of  whose  kingdome  (by  reason  of 
my  more  earnest  busines)  I  did  omitt  to  enquire.  His 
Officers  w*^''  take  up  his  customes,  if  they  had  the  true 
knowledge  of  God  and  care  to  serve  him  as  they  doe  the 
sunne  at  his  rising  (and  what  more  I  know  not),  I  should 
esteeme  them  happye  people,  being  ritch  in  content  w^'' 
what  they  have  :  they  eate  what  the  earth  and  sea  yealdeth 
them  w'^^out  anye  great  paines  :  and  for  there  apparell  it  is 
easilj'C  provided,  they  going  in  a  manner  all  naked :  for 
their  wives  they  keep  one,  2,  or  3,  according  to  there 
abillitye,  w'^'^  are  as  there  chattels,  w*^*^  if  by  dearth  of  corne 
(of  w*''^  is  a  kind  of  small  graine  called  Meillo),  or  for  anye 
other  necessity,  or  for  disobedience,  or  anye  other  mis- 
behaviour, they  may  sell  them  to  there  most  benifitt.  These 
people  in  generall  will  beg  earnestly e  ....  some  of  them 
will  steale  from  white  men,  w''^  they  call  blanks,  but 
1  never  heard,  or  knew  of  anye  cruell  deed  done  by  them 
as  to  murther  anye  man  for  that  he  had.^^ 

"  On  the  22^''  daye  at  2  in  the  afternoone  there  fell  by  us 
a  spout  w*-''  aboundance  of  raine,  and  wind  shifting  about  till 
G  of  y*'  clocke  :  and  two  dayes  after  we  were  pestered  with 
manye  showers  of  raine." 

On  the  IS'^'^  June,  Sir  Henry  Middleton  invited  Captain 
Downton  "  to  dinner  and  to  play^^;  on  the  same  day 
Thomas  Love  a  master  mate  was,  by  the  General's  com- 
mand, transferred  from  the  Peppercorn  to  the  Trade's 
Increase. 

The  fleet  encountered  heavy  gales  on  the  30'^'  June  and 
4'''  July  :   during  which  latter  gale  the  Peppercorn  sprang  a 


154  SALDANHA    BAY. 

bad  leak  in  her  powder-room  ;  and  again  on  the  1 0'^  July 
"  at  7  at  night  a  great  frett  of  wether  began  w'^'^  continued 
verye  vehementlye  16  houres".  From  that  date  the  wether 
was  fair  until  the  24th_,  on  which  day  the  vessels  anchox'ed 
in  Saldanha  Bay. 

At  that  time  there  were  lying  in  the  Bay  three  "  Hol- 
landers, one  whereof  was  bound  for  Bantam,  and  in  her 
Peter  But  generall  of  13  saile  outward  bound,  who  having 
spent  his  maine  mast,  and  lost  companye  of  his  fleet,  put 
into  this  roade  for  to  refresh  his  sick  men.  The  other  two 
(having  made  traine  of  scales  at  Penguin  Hand)  bound 
home". 

"  Saldania  is  a  baye  some  14  leagues  N.N.E.  from  the 
Cape  Bona  Speranza,  and  North  by  W.  10  leagues  from 
Cape  Falso,  w"'^  is  eastward  from  the  former,  and  may  both 
be  scene  in  the  sayd  baye ;  these  2  capes  are  also  divided 
by  another  great  baye,  the  distance  betweene  these  2  bayes 
is  some  3  leagues,  being  low  marshy  ground,  extending 
South  and  North,  w'^'^  on  ether  side  is  environed  w"^"^  moun- 
taines.  In  this  baye  of  Saldania,  when  you  have  brought 
the  norther  point  thereof  W.N.W.,  N.W.  &  by  W.,  for  a 
small  ship  N.W.,  thwart  of  the  ledge  of  rockes  (or  watering- 
place)  neare  the  shore,  w^''  wilbe  layed  (as  it  were)  in  the 
swamp  betweene  the  high  mountaines  called  the  Table  and 
the  Sugar  Loafe,  in  6,  5,  or  4  fathom,  according  to  the  draft 
of  our  ship  in  cleane  ground,  and  good  anchor  hold,  you 
may  safelye  ride  :  Penguin  Hand,  w*"^^  his  ledge,  distant  3 
leagues  of  bearing  N.N.W.  I',  aiid  stretching  to  the  north 
and  by  W.  of  you  in  the  roade.  The  maine  land  also,  al- 
though it  be  13  leagues  distant,  trenteth  away  unto  the 
north  and  by  west,  so  y*"  there  is  little  above  3  points  open 
to    let  in    the  N.W.    sea,    w'^^    is    the    greatest    stormes." 

1  In  the  tabular  statement  of  the  course,  etc.,  the  wind  on  the  30th 
,Junc  is  entered  as  N.N.E. ;  on  4th  July  as  E.  byN.  and  N.N.E.  ;  and 
on  the  10th  of  the  same  mouth  as  N.  and  W.N.W. 


SALDANIIA    BAY.  loS 

"  Saldania  having  beene  in  former  time  comfortable  to  all 
our  nation  traviliug  this  way,  both  outwards  and  homewards, 
yeelding  them  aboundauce  of  flesh,  as  sheep  and  beefes, 
brought  downe  by  the  savage  inhabitants  and  sould  for 
trifles,  as  a  beefe  for  an  iron  hoope  of  14  inches  long,  and  a 
sheep  for  a  lesser  peece,  whereby  weeke  sick  men  in  former 
voyages  hath  beene  easilye  recovered,  and  made  strong,  w''^ 
now  (contraryewise)  whither  oar  trade  heere  were  spoiled 
by  the  Dutchmen  we  heare  found,  who  use  to  spoile  all  places 
where  there  come  (onlye  respecting  there  owne  present 
occasions)  by  there  overmuch  libertys,  or  as  they  impute  it 
the  Frenchmen,  who  had  lately  beene  heare  to  make  traine, 
or  whither  the  cattle  in  former  times  so  aboundantlyc  brought 
downe  were  prayes  taken  by  warre  from  one  an  other,  or 
other  differences  w*^^  might  make  them  greedye  of  iron  to 
make  heades  for  there  lances  or  dartes,  w'^'^  now  by  peece  or 
reconsiliation  they  may  have  little  neede  of:  w*='^  though  it 
be  but  supposition,  yet  it  is  not  unreasonable  ;  but  the  true 
cause,  for  want  of  understanding  in  their  language,  I  know 
not ;  but  well  I  found  yt  all  the  devises  we  could  use  by 
bribes  or  otherwise  to  them,  w'^'-'  daily  came  downe  to  our 
tents  in  faire  wether,  would  procure  nothing  from  them  for 
our  sick  men's  releife  ;  and  them  4  cowes,  w*^'^  we  did  buy, 
were  so  old  and  so  leane  that  there  was  but  little  goodnes 
in  the  flesh,  for  w*^^  they  would  take  no  iron,  but  thin 
peeces  of  copper  of  2  inches  square,  as  seaven  sheep  at 
per  peece  3  inches  square  of  copper,  cutt  out  of  a  kettle, 
whereof  they  make  ringes  by  6  or  8  together,  w'^'^  they 
weare  one  there  armes,  w'''^  being  bright  and  smooth  unto 
them  seemeth  verye  brave." 

"  These  people  are  the  filthiest  for  the  usage  of  there 
bodyes  that  ever  I  have  heard  of,  for  besides  the  naturall 
uncleanes  (as  by  sweat  or  otherwise)  whereto  all  people  are 
subject,  w''^  the  most  by  washing  cleare  themselfes  of,  con- 
traryewise these  people  doth  augment   by  annointing  there 


156  SALDANHA    BAY. 

botlyes  \v*  a  filtiiy  substance,  w'''^  I  suppose  to  be  the  juice 
of  hearbes,  w°^  one  there  bodyes  sheweth  hke  cowe  doung ; 
and  the  wooll  of  there  heades  is  so  baked  like  a  scrufe  of 
greene  hearbes :  ffor  apparell  they  were  before  there  priv' ityes 
the  taill  of  a  catt  or  some  other  small  beast^  and  a  cloke 
made  of  a  sheep  skiuue  reachiuge  downe  to  the  middle  of 
there  thighesj  w''^  according  to  the  wether  they  turne  some- 
times the  harye  side,  and  some  times  the  drest  side  to  there 
bodyes/^ 

"  There  sheep  hath  no  wooll  but  haire,  aud  are  p^yo 
coulered,  like  calves;  there  legs  are  larger,  and  there  bodyes 
larger  then  our  sheep  of  lugland,  but  not  so  fatt." 

"  The  princepall  of  these  people  (as  ornaments)  weare 
about  the  bight  of  there  armes  a  thin  flatt  ring  of  ivory e, 
being  very  smooth  and  wrought  compas,  neare  16  inches 
wide,  and  on  there  wrist  some  6,  8,  10,  or  12  ringes  of 
coppei-,  bright  and  smooth,  all  ether  fastened  together  or 
wrought  in  one :  other  toyes  also,  as  bracelets  of  blew' 
glasse  and  pearle  shels,  w'''^  are  ether  presented  them,  or  by 
idle  people  given  them  for  estridge  egshels,  or  quils  of  por- 
cupines, w°^  w^^out  restraint  the  Dutchmen  did  ordinaryelye 
buy  :  also  another  most  strange  and  filthy  wearing,  to  what 
purpose  I  knowe  not,  as  the  guts  of  cattle  about  there 
neckes,  w'''^  makes  them  smell  like  a  butcher's  slaughter- 
house/' 

"In  there  hands  they  carye  a  small  launce  or  darte,  y*  hath 
a  small  iron  head,  and  a  fewe  estridge  feathers  as  a  fiinn  to 
keep  away  the  flyes ;  they  have  also  bowes  and  arrowes,  but 
when  they  came  downe  to  us  they  would  leave  them  in  some 
hole  or  bush  by  the  way." 

"  They  are  straight  made  people,  and  nimble  of  foot." 

"  It  seemeth  that  there  habitation  is  moveable  to  places 
of  best  pasture  for  cattle,  as  in  the  vaileyes  betweene  the 
high  mountaines,  whose  topes  (far  up  in  the  country)  were 
covered  w^^  snow  at  this  time ;  but  those   neare  the   sea- 


SALDANHA    HAY.  157 

side    arc    clearc    thereof,    not\v''''standing    tlicy    arc    very 
liigli/^ 

"  Wilde  beasts  there  are  of  div^ers  sortes  ;  but  these  we 
have  seene ;  fallow  deeres,  aiitilopes,  porcupines^  laud  tor- 
toses,  babooues.  Also  the  Dutchmeu  tould  us  of  liousj  but 
we  sawe  none;  snakes  and  adders." 

''  Fouls  also  in  aboundance,  to  witt,  wild  geese,  ducks, 
pellicanes,  passera,  flemincos,  and  crowes,  w''^  have  in  there 
neckes,  as  it  were,  a  w*band,  and  small  birds  greene  coulered, 
and  divers  other  sortes  unknowne  ;  also  sea  fowles,  to  witt, 
penguins,  guls,  pintados,  w*^^  are  all  spotted  black  and 
white  ;  also  a  great  gray  fowle,  the  pinions  Avhereof  are 
blacke,  w'^'^  the  Portugals  call  Alcatrasses,  and  shags  or  cor- 
merats  at  the  iland  in  great  abouudauce ;  and  another  kind 
of  foule  like  moore  hens.'^ 

"  Fishes  thei-e  are  of  divers  sortes  ;  but  these  following 
have  I  seene,  to  witt,  in  faire  wether,  there  are  a  small  sort 
of  whales  in  great  noumber  at  the  iland,  seales  in  great 
aboundance  :  w*  the  saino  we  tooke  fish  like  millets,  being 
as  large  as  a  trout,  smelts,  thornebacks,  and  dogs  :  and  one 
the  rockes  limpets  and  mussels  in  aboundance:  in  the  fresh 
river  the  Union's  men  w*^  a  saine  caught  aboundance  of 
millets,  as  when  we  mett  w**^  them  they  tould  us/' 

"  It  is  a  verye  holsome  aire,  and  aboundeth  w*^*^  good 
fresh  water,  both  for  filling  in  the  road  and  for  travellers 
in  the  land,  w^'^in  small  streames  descendeth  from  the  moun- 
taines/' 

"  One  morning,  by  m}'^  instigation,  my  Generall  and 
I,  accompanied  w''^  23  men  more,  whereof  4  were  small 
shot,  went  to  see  if  we  could  find  a  place  where  we 
mio-ht  cut  wood,  and  being  gone  some  3  mile,  and  find 
ing  none  but  small  greene  wood,  whereof  we  in  the  Pepper- 
corne  by  reason  of  our  great  want  were  forced  to  cutt,  my 
Generall,  desirous  to  get  refreshing  for  our  weake  sick  men, 
'  Captain  Downton's. 


158  EXCURSION    NEAR    TABLE    MOUNTAIN, 

desired  to  walk  about  the  table  to  see  if  we  could  see  anye 
cattle  y*  we  might  by  anye  meanes  buy  for  our  reliefe,  not 
thinking  it  would  have  beene  so  long  a  journeye,  where  we 
past  through  a  most  uneasye,  unequally  stonye,  unbeaten, 
and,  as  it  were,  overgrowne  wildernes,  wherein  after  we  were 
to  discend  and  ascend  through  manye  deep  and  hollow 
water  courses,  overgrowne  w*  trees  from  side  to  side,  w*^^ 
were  made  w'^  the  raine's  swift  descent  from  the  hill  called 
the  Table,  and  after  a  while  found  a  beaten  path,  wherein 
we  past,  seeing  manye  pennes  wherein  cattle  had  beene 
kept,  w"'^,  for  that  it  led  forwards  our  ships,  we  were  forced 
to  leave,  and  again e  had  a  most  vile  tiresome  travell  for  a 
while,  till  we  hitt  of  another  path,  w*'^  led  alongst  the 
mountaines  towards  the  roade,  and  having  past  a  while  be- 
tweene  the  mountaines,  as  neere  as  they  would  give  us  leave, 
still  following  the  beaten  path,  w*^^  was  our  best  guide,  at 
length  we  past  over  in  the  swamp  betweene  the  souther- 
most  sugar  loafe  and  the  Table,  at  w^^  time  we  had  sight  of 
the  seaside,  alongst  w°^  we  went  over  the  tops  of  the  clifs, 
which  at  length  we  forsooke,  going  by  judgment  east  to- 
wards the  swamp  betweene  the  northermost  sugar  loafe  and 
the  Table,  where  in  the  morning  (after  we  had  rested  our- 
selves a  little  by  a  fire)  we  made  hast,  and  past  over  the 
foresaid  swamp,  and  before  breake  of  daye  we  came  to  our 
tents,  where  we  found  all  our  men  y*  could  be  spared,  dis- 
turbedlye  in  armes,  divided  into  2  com.,  the  one  half  under 
M*"  Peraberton,  determining  at  daylight  to  seperat  them- 
selves and  again  to  meet  on  the  other  side  of  the  Table  to 
goe  and  meet  us,  w^^  intent  our  approach  did  prevent :  re- 
freshing ourselves  w*^  what  our  friends  had  prepared  for 
their  intended  journey  :  all  the  daye  we  kept  the  Table  one 
our  rifht  hand  and  the  marsh  one  our  left  hand,  w'''^  neare 
the  mountaines  is  much  pestered  w*^  rockes,  w*^^  have  fallen 
from  the  top  of  the  mountaiue  ;  it  is  moist  ground,  and 
seemeth  to   be  good   pasture   for   cattle;   in  divers   places 


DEPARTURE    FOR    SALTWNFIA    BAY.  159 

scatteringlye  wee  see  some  trees  of  small  stature,  somewhat 
broad  topped,  bearing  a  fruite  in  bigues  and  proportion  like 
a  pine-apple,  but  the  husk  not  so  hard  and  spungye,  the 
seed  whereof  were  devoured  by  the  birds,  and  the  husk  re- 
maining on  the  trees ;  the  loaves  whereof  were  in  forme  of 
our  houslick  in  England,  but  not  so  thick." 

"At  this  time  was  there  spring,  both  trees  and  all  hearbcs 
blowing  over  the  earth/' 

"  It  much  repenteth  me  y*  I  came  unprovided  of  all  sortes 
of  garden  seeds,  w'^^  might  be  helpfull  or  necessarye  for  re- 
liefe  of  anye  Christians,  w"^^  heareafter  might  come  hither, 
w'^^  though  the  savages  should  somewhat  spoile,  yet  yt  seeing 
such  a  beginning,  every  Christian  capt.  would  seeke  to 
augment  and  re-edifye  the  same  :  also  acornes,  w'^^  in  time 
may  doe  good  to  posteritye,  for  trees  are  not  here  so  long  a 
growing  as  in  our  could  countrys.  I  will  not  contradict  all 
such  as  will  esteeme  it  idlenes  in  me  to  wish  to  sow  where 
it  is  manye  to  one  I  shall  never  reape,  yet  for  myself  I 
esteeme  it  more  idlenes  in  me  y*  I  had  not  beene  so  provi- 
dent as  to  have  sought  meanes  in  England  to  have  per- 
formed the  same,  and  I  would  to  God  I  conld  or  had  meanes 
to  leave  a  profitable  remembrance  for  Christian  travelers 
unto  the  end  of  the  world  in  anye  place  where  I  shall 
come." 

"  Now  having  to  our  utmost  powre  heare  finished  all  our 
necessarye  busines,  to  wit,  watering,  and  some  what  releaved 
our  weake  sick  men  w*^  what  refreshing  we  could  get, 
w*^*^  was  principallye  mussels,  we  prepaired  our  ships  to  sett 
saile  the  9'^'^  August,  w°^  by  contrarye  windes  was  crossed, 
untill  the  13^^  day  following." 

'^The  18'^  day  little  wind,  but  a  high  light  sea  flowing 
one  the  top  like  bi-eaches  in  should  water  ;  the  19*^  day^  we 
had  a  verye  strong  gale  of  wind.^^ 

Some  days  after,  having  sailed  from  Saldanha,  Captain 
1  The  direction  of  the  wind  on  the  19tli  is  entered  as  W.N.W. 


IGO  BAY    OF    ST.    AUGUSTT^^E   (mADAGASCAU). 

Downton,  "  by  the  General's  consent",  broached  a  cask  of  wine, 
from  which  five  and  a  half  gallons  were  drawn  for  the  use  of 
thje  factors  and  minister,  and  five  quarts  for  Captain  Downton 
and  the  master.  The  factors  were  not  satisfied  with  this 
wine,  and  wished  to  have  a  fresh  butt  tapped  for  themselves, 
saying  that  they  had  heard  that  a  cask  had  been  put  on 
board  for  their  use  (which  they  were  unwilling  to  share  with 
Captain  Downton),  and  that  what  they  did  not  drink  they 
would  carry  on  shore  with  them.  Afterwards  the  General 
gave  instructions  that  no  wine  should  be  served  out  to  the 
factors,  as  none  (contrary  to  what  had  been  represented  to 
him)  had  been  shipped  for  their  use. 

On  the  28*'^,  Sir  Henry  Middleton  having  summoned  Cap- 
tain Downton  and  his  master  on  board  the  Admiral,  blamed 
the  former  for  an  error  committed  by  one  of  the  master 
mates  for  bearing  too  slack  a  sail  one  night,  for  which 
negligence  the  mate  had  been  previously  superseded. 

The  island  of  '^Madagasker  or  S*^.  Lawrence''  was  sighted 
on  the  sixth  of  September,  on  which  day  the  fleet  anchored 
in  the  Bay  of  S*'.  Augustine,  where  "  we  found  the  Union  of 
London,  and  the  Vice-Admirall  of  the  4*^^  voyage,  whose 
people  was  distressed,  wanting  victuals  for  to  carye  them 
home  :  who  related  unto  my  Geun^  there  infortunate  loosing 
companye  w*  there  Admirall  and  pinnance  betweene  Sal- 
dania  and  the  Cape  Bona  Speranza,  and  never  since  heard 
of  them :  how  they  put  into  this  ba3'e  (outwards  bound)  to 
seeke  them,  also  followed  after  them  and  put  into  Zanzabar, 
an  iland  bordeinng  of  the  Abexin  coast,  whei^e  the  Portu- 
gals  made  shew  of  favour  and  trade,  inticing  them  to  land 
w**^  there  boat,  where  they  betrayed  and  tooke  3  of  there 
men;  the  rest  seeing  there  dainger  fled  w*^^  the  boat  unto 
the  ship,  who  proceeded  on  there  journey  till,  w'^  contrarye 
windes  before  they  could  recover  anye  fitt  port,  for  want  of 
water  v/ere  forced  to  retourne  towards  the  Bay  of  Antongill 
on  the  E.S.E.  side  of  Madagaskar,  but  the  wind  or  there 


MEETING    WITH    THE  '''uNIOn'\  IGl 

course  not  siiitiug  there  determination,  they  put  into  a  good 
harbor  or  Bay  of  Gnngomar,  on  the  nortli-west  corner  of 
Madagaskar,  where  they  were  awhile  fed  w*^^^  good  words  and 
faire  promises  and  kind  entertainment  by  the  king :  that  in 
a  short  time  the  Cape  merchant,  in  hope  of  trade  for  amber- 
greese  and  other  thinges,  grew  so  conceipted  of  this  heathen 
kinge^s  plaine  meaninge,  y*'  at  the  kinge's  request  went  not 
alone  to  him,  but  perswaded  his  cap*  and  other  merchants 
to  accompanye  him,  who,  being  brought  to  the  kinge's  pre- 
sence, he  sent  also  for  the  chirnrgion,  trumpet  and  drum, 
who,  refusing  to  goe  to  him,  presently  there  sallied  out  of 
the  woodes  a  great  number  of  people,  w^'^  attempted  to  force 
the  boat  and  men  in  her  w*^*^  dartes,  arrowes,  aiid  lances, 
who  perceiving  themselves  prevented  by  the  good  care  and 
endeavours  of  them  in  the  boat,  they  pursued  the  boat  w*^^ 
armed  canoas  out  of  the  river,  untill  by  manye  shot  from 
the  ship  she  was  rescued.  And  fewe  dayes  after,  while  they 
lingered  in  hope  of  some  good  newes  from  there  captaine, 
they  attempted  the  ship  w*^  a  demye  armye  of  some  hun- 
dreth  canoas,  w''^  came  in  order  and  forme  of  a  half  moone, 
w*''^  to  prevent  brought  themselves  under  saile  and  shook 
them  of,  and  departed  one  there  journey.  It  seemed  they 
could  not  fetch  Soccatra,  or  the  m^  unwilling  to  goe  to  the 
Reed  Sea  or  Surat,  but  went  to  Achira,  and  there  delt  for 
some  fitt  commoditj^es  w*^^  the  Guzerats,  and  from  thence 
to  Priaman  to  lade  pepper,  where  the  merchant  made  bar- 
gaine  to  receive  it  at  Tecoa,  an  iland  3  leagues  distant  from 
Priaman,  at  15,  14,  13|  rialls  of  8  per  the  bahar  of  pepper; 
every  bahar  is  312  there." 

"This  ship  the  Generall  plentifully  supplied  w*^  victuals, 
for  whose  reliefe  he  made  the  longer  stay.  He  also  united 
them  in  love  on  to  another,  who  at  our  coming  in  were  de- 
vided,  to  witt,  Samuell  Bradshaw  for  his  sober,  discreet,  and 
provident  cariage  in  the  Corapanyes  business,  much  envied 
by  there  factious  m'"  and  his  adherents,  whom  we  left  in  the 

M 


162  GUNGOMAE  BAY  IN  MADAGASCAR. 

same  baye  as  seeming  lovers  and  frends,  I  pray  God  con- 
tinue it  y*  in  the  end  it  prove  not  prejuditiall  to  the  Com- 
panye  there  imployers/^ 

"  In  this  baye  we  continued  70  howres  :  it  is  for  the  most 
parte  all  deep  water,  no  ground  in  divers  places  (by  divers' 
reports)  in  200  fathom  :  by  us  further  examining  of  depthes 
had  beene  in  vayne ;  but  we  found  all  the  south  shore,  in 
manner  from  the  wester  point  to  the  high  clif  land,  all  flat, 
rocky,  whose  ledges  are  to  be  seene  drie  at  lowe  water,  as 
in  the  draft  I  have  shewed." 

''  At  the  easter  end  of  the  rockes  neare  the  cliffe,  we  an- 
chored in  12  fathom,  and  might  have  rid  neere  the  shore  in 
7  fathom.  AVe  came  in  out  of  the  sea  w*^  a  strong  gale  at 
south  south  west ;  but  coming  neere  unto  the  land  the  wind 
dullerd,  yet  blew  reasonable  fresh  in  the  daye,  but  in  the 
night  ordinarylye  calme  the  time  we  were  there ;  but  yt 
being  the  new  moone,  w<=^  makes  the  fowlest  wether  in  those 
countryes,  I  cannot  say  of  other  times.  One  the  land  it 
seemeth  to  be  verye  hott,  espociall  when  the  sunne  is  to  the 
southwards  of  the  equinoctiall." 

"  In  this  place  are  trees  of  divers  sorts  and  kindes,  some 
so  full  of  a  fatt  sapp,  y*^  fier  being  put  to  it  as  it  standeth 
greene  of  it  self,  it  will  runn  up  blazing  in  the  leaves  and 
branches ;  the  timber  is  soft,  and  the  leaves  and  bowes 
yeeldes  a  yellow  sap.  Another  sort  also  of  trees  whose 
timber  is  neare  as  hard  as  lignum  vite,  and  of  culler  w*-  w'''^  a 
small  broune  hart,  whither  anye  kind  of  w*  sanders  I  know 
not ;  yt  wood,  w^'^  we  cutt  of  for  fire  wood  in  y°  Pepper- 
come,  w''^  was  the  most  plentifull  of  anye  wood  there,  did 
all  hang  ti-ased  w'"'^  cods  of  greene  fruict,  as  big  as  a  beane 
cod  in  England,  called  Tamerin,  it  hath  a  verye  soure  tast, 
and  by  the  apothicaryes  is  holden  good  against  the  scurvye; 
our  admiral's  men,  who  had  more  leisure,  gathered  some 
(while  it  was  greene)  for  tlioi^e  particular  uses.  Heere  is 
also  plentye  of  an  hearbc,  w'^^  for  his  forme  is  scarce  to  be 


TlfE   '^CAERinAS".  163 

doserned  from  a  Scmperevivej  whereof  tlic  Allocs  Soeotrina 
IS  made  of  all  sortes ;  but  I  know  not  whither  those  savage 
people  have  ether  the  knowledge  or  use  thereof.'^ 

''  The  people,  by  what  occasion  I  know  not,  forbore  to 
come  to  us,  so  y*  we  gat  no  kind  of  refreshing,  nether  beif, 
nor  mutton,  whereof  others  hearetofore  hath  beene  offered 
for  a  riall  of  8  an  oxe,  but  now  it  is  sayd  for  want  of  gover- 
ment  in  the  Union  when  anye  was  brought  downe,  what  the 
factor  did  providentl^^e  forbeare  to  keep  downe  the  prise, 
disordered  fellows  for  their  owne  particulcr  gave  what  the 
savages  demaunded,  so  y*^  now  they  can  scarce  get  anye  for 
10*  per  peece/^ 

"  It  seems  y*^  an  all  places  of  this  iland  men  must  stand 
on  there  guard,  for  the  people  are  treacherous,  yet  by  re- 
port stout  and  valiaunt,  and  not  ignorant  in  ordering  there 
people  in  battle  raye,  as  it  seemed  by  there  order  at  Gun- 
gomar  when  they  assaulted  the  Union  :  there  weapons  are 
bowes  and  arrowes,  lances  and  small  dartes,  w'''^  they  carye 
in  bundles." 

From  St.  Augustine's  Bay,  the  fleet  sailed  on  the  9th 
September,  and  on  the  21st  of  that  month  were  carried  by 
a  current  among  a  group  of  sunken  reefs  and  small  islands, 
called  the  "  Carribas'^^  (between  10  deg.  and  11  deg.  S.  lat.), 
from  which  they  did  not  work  clear  for  sevei^al  dayes,  and 
then  having  fallen  in  with  a  sti'ong  current  were  rapidly 
carried  northwards  till  the  9th  October. 

These  islands  were  surrounded  by  deep  water ;  they 
were  sandy,  and  for  the  most  part  covered  with  trees,  and 
after  dark  every  evening  fires  made  by  the  country  people 
were  seen  burning  on  the  shore. 

In  consequence  of  the  strong  spirit  of  opposition  mani- 
fested   by  the    minister,  factors,  and  one   of  the  master's 

1  Possibly  Galega  Island  in  10°  20'  S.,  which  is  inhabitable,  and  be- 
longs to  Mauritius.  A  gap  in  the  middle  gives  it  the  appearance  of  two 
islands,  and  it  is  clothed  with  cocoa-nut  trees. 

m2 


164  AT    SOCOTRA. 

mates  of  the  Peppercorn  against  their  Commander^  Captain 
Downton,  Sir  Henry  Middletou  specially  inquired  into  the 
cause  of  that  state  of  affairs,  which  cause  was  that  no 
larger  allowances  were  made  to  them  than  to  the  remainder 
of  the  ship's  company,  and  he  had  Thomas  Herrod,  one  of 
the  master's  mates,  removed  to  his  own  ship,  to  fill  whose 
place  Mr.  Mollineux  was  transferred  to  the  Peppercorn. 

The  islands  called  the  '^Dos  Herraanos"  (the  Brethren) 
were  sighted  on  the  17th  October,  and  on  the  19th  the  Pep- 
percorn (the  other  vessels  had  previously  anchored)  cast 
anchor  opposite  the  town  of  "  Gallanzee^'.^  There  Captain 
Downton  learned  from  Sir  Henry  Middleton  that  the  latter 
had  been  told  by  the  natives  that  the  easterly  monsoon 
having  set  in,  the  fleet  could  not  for  the  next  nine  months 
proceed  to  Cambay. 

The  fleet,  which  had  attempted  to  beat  round  to  Tama- 
rin,-  again  anchored  on  the  22nd  October  off  "  Gallan- 
zee",  where  Captain  Downton  landed  in  search  of  water, 
and  in  vain  attempted  to  hold  communications  with  the 
people,  who,  he  afterwards  learned,  were  forbidden  by  the 
King  of  Tamarin  (who  allowed  no  communications  to  be 
held  with  strangers  except  through  himself)  to  hold  any 
intercourse  with  the  fleet.  At  length  on  the  25th  October 
the  vessels  anchored  before  the  town  of  Tamarin,  which 
town  they  duly  saluted  with  five,  three  and  one  guns 
respectively. 

Mr.  Femmell  was  sent  ashore,  handsomely  attended, 
with  a  present  (consisting  of  "a  faire  guilt  cup  of  10  ounces, 
a  sword  blade,  and  3  3'eards  of  stamell  broad  cloth"  for  the 
King,  who,  surrounded  by  the  principal  of  his  countr3'menj 
the  -Arabs,  received  him  in  an  orange-tawny  coloured  tent 
at  the  waterside,  and  having  accepted  the  General's  pre- 
sents, promised  to  supply'-  water  free  and  whatever  .else  he 
could,  for  dui'ing  two  years  no  I'ain  had  fallen  in  the  island. 
'  111  Socotra.  *  Tamarida. 


KING    OP    SOCOTRA.  165 

The  King  mentioned  that  the  Ascension  and  her  pinnace 
had  both  touched  at  the  ishmd  on  hex'  way  to  the  lied  Sea, 
and  on  their  return  from  thence  they  put  in  to  obtain  water 
and  then  sailed  for  Cambay ;  he  further  added,  that  the 
crew  of  his  frigate,  while  at  Bazaine'  near  Damon,  had 
heard  from  the  Portugals  that  both  vessels  had  been  lost, 
but  that  the  crews  had  been  saved. 

On  the  following  day.  Sir  Henry  Middleton  landed  and 
was  received  by  the  King  ''in  orderlye  and  civill  sorte'% 
but  the  latter  appeared  to  be  very  unwilling  to  suflPer  the 
fleet  to  remain  there  (while  the  pinnace  was  being  set  up), 
saying  that  at  sight  of  the  vessels  his  own  frigate  and  other 
ships,  especially  the  Guzerats,  would  be  afraid  to  enter  the 
bay ;  probably,  too,  as  at  his  own  charges  he  had  brought 
Arabs  and  others  from  all  parts  into  the  town  to  strengthen 
the  garrison,  he  found  the  sojourn  of  the  fleet  expensive. 
Divers  of  the  crews  frequently  landed  and  visited  the  King, 
to  "  the  great  consumation  of  his  victuals  and  drink,  w*^^ 
though  w^^  a  goodwill  to  shew  his  love  and  bounty  to  be 
well  spoken  of  by  so  forren  a  nation,  yet  by  my  conjecture 
he  w'^^  sheweth  to  be  of  so  good  an  understanding  and  wis- 
dome,  so  readye  in  all  questions  y*-  hath  been  asked  him  by 
us,  for  far  and  neere,  and  y*^  by  a  foreseeing  eye,  and  how 
prejudiciall  more  liberty  to  his  people  to  him  may  prove, 
can  keep  them  in  y'  extraordinary  subjection,  and  by  there 
misery  to  serve  their  owne  tourne,  he  cannot  but  be  cen- 
cible  of  his  own  profitt  and  estate,  and  to  conclude,  being 
in  no  hope  of  beuefitt  by  us,  must  needs  desire  our  absence". 

"  This  King  of  Zoccatra  is  called  Mulle  Amore  Bensaide, 
and  now  is  heere  but  Viceroy e  under  his  father,  who  is 
King  of  Fartacke^  in  Arabia,  not  far  from  Aden,  and  comes 
into  the  sea  at  Cannicam.'^ 

>  Bassein. 

*  The  Sheikh  of  Keshin.  Fartak  is  a  point  on  this  part  of  the  Arabian 
coast. 


166  PEICES    AT    SOCOTEA. 

The  King  refused  to  give  Sir  Henry  Middleton  a  letter  to 
the  Governor  of  Aden  saying  that,  as  his  own  father  was 
at  war  with  the  Turks^  he  would  not  do  him  so  much 
injury. 

"  The  people  y'  he  (the  King)  useth  for  his  hoi-  and 
strength  in  Zoccatra  are  the  Arabs^  the  rest,  y''  live  in  most 
servile  slaverye,  are  the  ould  inhabitants  of  the  iland,  w*^*^ 
hath  been  banished  people." 

"  There  is  pore  merchandize  growing  uppon  Zoccatra. 
Allocs  Zoccatrinaj  w'^'^  they  make  about  August  of  an  hearb 
like  unto  Semperviva,  w''^  we  have  in  Spaine,  but  noe  great 
quantity,  not  passing  a  tunue  in  the  yeare ;  there  is  a  small 
quantity  of  Sanguis  Draconis,  or  Dragon's  blood,  a  little 
whereof  our  factors  bought  at  Is.  per  lb.;  and  dates  w''^ 
serve  them  for  bi'ead,  w'^^  the  King  sels  at  5  rialls  of  8  per 
C. ;  cattle  for  men's  sustiuauce  are  these,  buls  and  cowes  at 
12  rials  of  8  per  peece,  goats  at  one  riall  per  peece,  sheep 
at  half  a  riall  per  peece,  and  hens  at  half  a  riall  per  peece, 
all  exceeding  small,  according  to  the  drie,  rockye,  and  bar- 
riness  of  the  iland;  wood  is  12d.  per  a  man's  burthen,  everye 
particuler  is  a  verye  deere  peuniworth  ;  and  what  els  the 
iland  may  yeeld  I  am  yet  to  be  informed  of,  but  of  rockes 
and  stones  drie  and  bare  this  iland  seemeth  to  be  contained 
of" 

Having  sailed  from  Socotra  on  the  28th  October,  the 
fleet  next  anchored  off  a  sandy  point  some  19  leagues  west 
from  Cape  Gardafui,  where  the  Peppercorn  obtained  a 
supply  of  wood.  The  natives  there,  on  learning  that  their 
visitors  were  Christians,  fled  from  them.  Thence  the 
course  was  shaped  for  Aden,  which  city  was  sighted  on  the 
evening  of  the  seventh  of  November. 

"  Aden  is  cittuate  under  the  foot  of  an  unfruitfull  moun- 
taine,  a  place  where  I  should  scarce  have  locked -for  a 
towne,  but  it  is  there  sett  for  strength,  where  it  is  verye 
defencible,  and  not  by  an  cnimye  easily  to  be  approached 


AT   ADEN.  167 

by  laud,  being  well  walled,  fortified,  and  flanckered,  and 
seemctli  not  easily  to  ho  wonn  if  the  defendants  w'^in  be  men 
of  resolution,  and  so  yt  it  be  formerly  victualled  and  pro- 
vided of  munition,  and  to  seawards  though  it  be  in  manner 
drio  at  lowe  water,  there  stands  a  high  rocke  somewhat 
larger  than  the  towne  of  London,  w''^  is  not  by  ennimies  to 
be  in  haist  assended  by  reason  it  is  steep  and  y*^  but 
one  way  by  narrow  steps  to  gett  up  where  4  men  may 
keep  downe  a  multitude,  this  rocke  is  so  walled,  flankered, 
and  furnished  w'^  ordinance,  as  it  seemeth  to  me  it  may 
commauud  both  towne  and  roade,  yet  who  will  avoyde  it 
may  ride  in  9  fathom  water  w'^out  there  commauud,  or 
w''^in  there  commaunde  from  9  fathom  downewards  ;  also  a 
little  distance  to  the  northward  of  the  aforesayd  rocke  is 
another  rock  being  lowe  almost  even  w^^  the  water,  w''^  is  of 
small  compas,  whereon  is  a  fort  built  and  well  furnished  w* 
ordinance.  The  shouldiours  usually  containing  in  this  gari- 
son  I  could  never  understand,  but  according  as  occasions 
they  are  drawne  downe  from  other  inland  townes ;  the 
lowe  country  adjoyning  w^^n  it  doth  supply  it  w*"^  provi- 
sions, and  partly  w'''^  there  barques  w'''^  passe  in  trade  from 
Aden  to  Barbora,-^  a  towne  right  over  on  the  Abexen-  side, 
from  whence  they  bring  cattle  and  much  fruit,  and  provi- 
sion w*^  mirh  and  insence,  and  what  els  I  must  conceale 
till  further  information  gotten^\ 

"  This  towne  standeth  in  the  latitude  of  12'^  35,  the 
variation  westei^y  is  12-10,  it  lloweth  by  estimation  upright 
betwixt  6  and  7  foot  water,  on  the  change  day  at  S.  E.  b.  E., 
or  N.  W.  b.  W.  moune  maketh  a  full  sea.  This  mountain,, 
at  whose  foot  the  town  standeth,  is  a  peninsula  pointing 
out  into  the  sea,  as  in  the  draft  following  shall  appeare,^  and 
towards  the  maine  is  first  a  narrow  neck  of  sandy  ground, 
and  w'^^in  of  the  like  a  large  marsh-like  ground  stretching 

'  Bertera.  ^  Abyssinian. 

3  The  page  left  blank. 


1G8  AT    ADEX. 

up  to  the  raountaines,  w^^  may  be  from  the  towne  16  or  20 
mile." 

As  soon  as  the  fleet  anchored,  the  Governor  sent  an  Arab 
to  inspect  the  ships^  who,  on  the  following  day,  boarded  the 
Admiral  to  inquire  who  and  what  they  were ;  at  the  same 
time,  "  Jno.  Williams  and  Walter  the  trumpetter,  linguists", 
with  others,  were  sent  on  shore  with  a  present  to  the 
Governor,  whom  the  Turks  received  seemingly  with  great 
joy,  but  whom  they  did  not  permit  to  enter  the  town,  enter- 
taining them  without  the  gate  near  the  waterside ;  nor  did 
the  Turks  make  any  mention  of  trading,  but  pretended 
that  they  daily  expected  the  arrival  of  some  30,000  soldiers, 
a  strangely  large  force  for  so  barren  a  country  to  support, 
which  statement  was  plainly  suggested  by  fear. 

The  General's  request  for  a  pilot  to  carry  the  fleet  to 
Moha^  was  made  known  to  the  Governor,  who  returned 
answer  that  he  was  only  deputy  to  the  Meer  or  Governor, 
who  was  expected  to  return  on  the  following  day  from  the 
country.  He  also  sent  Sir  Henry  Middleton  a  present  of 
"  2  Barbora  sheep  w**^  broad  rumps  and  small  tailes'^,  some 
plantains  and  other  fruit.  As  no  pilot,  but  only  fair  words, 
was  supplied,  the  General  set  sail,  whereupon  the  Deputy- 
Governor  sent  a  message  entreating  him  that  if  he  himself, 
with  his  fleet,  would  not  remain  at  Aden,  at  least  to  leave 
one  vessel  to  carry  on  trade  "  w*^  glozing  shewes  of  Indico, 
OlHbanum,  Mirh,  and  divers  other  things".  In  compliance 
with  this  request.  Sir  Henry  Middleton  brought  the  fleet 
to  anchor  athwart  a  bay  to  the  southwards  of  the  town, 
the  current  preventing  a  return  to  their  former  anchorage, 
and  landed  to  make  enquiries  about  the  chamges  in  the 
current.  The  Deputy  Governor  appeared  to  be  enraged 
by  this  action,  pretending  to  think  that  it  was  done  to  dis- 
cover the  strength  of  the  place,  and  with  no  good  intent, 
insomuch  that  John  AVilliams,  who  was  thou  on  shore,  felt 

'  Mocha. 


THE  "  PEPPERCORN^  AT   ADEN.  169 

grave  doubts  about  being  allowed  to  rejoin  his  ship  ;  but  the 
Meer,  who  was  present,  did  not  seem  to  be  so  rigorous, 
using  fair  words,  and  granting  a  pilot,  yet  requesting  that 
one  ship  might  be  left  there,  adding  that  the  town,  by  for- 
mer ill-government,  having  lost  all  trade,  he  was  desirous 
of  re-establishing  its  commerce  ;  and  further,  that  he  him- 
self was  subordinate  to  a  Bashaw,  who,  if  all  the  ships 
should  depart  without  trading,  would  blame  him  for  driving 
them  away.  Deceived  by  the  partial  truth  of  this  state- 
ment. Sir  Henry  Middleton  promised  to  leave  the  Pepper- 
corn behind  him  at  Aden. 

As  no  pilot  was  supplied  by  the  Governoi^  but  only  empty 
excuses  for  not  doing  so,  the  General,  with  the  Trades 
Increase  and  Daiiing,  sailed  for  Moha,  having  previously 
instructed  Captain  Downton  not  to  land  any  cargo  from 
the  Peppercorn,  since  if  the  natives  would  not  trust  one  of 
their  "  raskall  people"  (without  receiving  hostages  for  his 
return)  on  board  to  act  as  pilot  to  Moha,  then  not  to  trust 
them  with  any  of  the  goods  on  shore,  but  to  make  them  pay 
for  such  on  board;  and  should  they  be  suspicious  of  evil 
dealings,  iu  Llia,t  case  to  exchange  hostages  of  a  like  quality. 
Should  these  terms  prove  unacceptable,  the  Peppercorn  was 
to  follow  the  fleet  to  Moha. 

The  Peppercorn  having  been  warped  in  nearer  to  the 
town,  the  Governor  summoned  the  merchants  to  wait  on 
him,  and  when,  from  Mr.  Fowler,  John  Williams,  and  the 
purser,  he  understood  the  purport  of  Sir  Henry  Middleton's 
instructions,  he  became  violently  enraged,  and  detained 
them  on  shore,  under  pretence  that  he  held  them  in  pledge 
for  anchorage  and  other  dues,  for  which  he  claimed  "  1500 
Venetians  of  gould,  every  one  at  1|  riall  of  8^\ 

Prom  the  loth  November  to  the  16th  December,  the  ves- 
sel lay  before  Aden  continually  exposed  to  danger  from 
storms.  During  that  time  Captain  Downton  had  all  goods 
yet  in  readiness,  if  it  should  have  so  happened  that  in  the 


170  CArXAIN    DOWNTON    AT    ADEN. 

end  he  might  have  found  sale  for  any  part  thereof;  but  with- 
out landing  cargo  to  pay  the  1 500  pieces  of  gold,  he  was 
unable  to  procure  the  release  of  his  merchants,  which  he 
hoped  that  the  General,  by  making  interest  at  Moha  might 
secure.  He  himself,  if  he  could  have  procured  their  enlarge- 
mentj  would  gladly  have  proceeded  to  Moha,  for  ^'  by 
dreames  by  night,  and  distui'bing  motions  by  day,'^  he 
greatly  feared  that  all  was  not  well  with  his  commander  : 
yet  having  been  left  at  Aden  to  seek  trade,  which  was  not 
refused,  but  promised  so  soon  as  goods  were  landed,  he 
feared  that,  if  without  any  apparent  reasons  he  should 
abandon  the  place,  the  factors  would  say  that  he  was  "  more 
fraid  then  hurt",  and  that  had  the  goods  been  landed,  a 
profitable  business  might  have  been  done. 

Captain  Downton  every  two  or  three  days  sent  his  boat 
ashore  to  enquire  about  his  factors.  Those  of  the  men  who 
lauded  were  courteously  dealt  with,  the  soldiers  frequenting 
their  company,  and  interfering  in  their  behalf  if  any  man, 
Jew  or  Banian,  attempted  to  impose  on  any  of  them,  and 
frequently  strangers  (who  were  soldiers  called  in  from  the 
neighbouring  towns)  were  pointed  out  to  them  as  merchants 
who  had  come  in  to  see  had  any  goods  been  landed.  This, 
no  doubt,  was  done  to  create  a  feeling  of  confidence,  of 
which  advantage  might  have  afterwards  been  taken ;  but 
during  this  time  none,  except  chosen  by  the  Governor,  were 
allowed  to  hold  any  interconrse  with  the  ship,  lest  too  much 
information  might  have  been  obtained  from  them.  Not- 
withstanding that  state  of  affairs.  Captain  Downton  learned 
that  "  This  citye  in  times  past  hath  beene  great  and  popu- 
lous, but  at  this  time  the  houses,  both  gi^eat  and  small,  are 
greatly  ruinated  and  sunke  in  everye  part  of  the  towne,  of 
shops  of  merchandize  there  is  none  of  anye  accompt,  mer- 
chants none  to  be  discerned  worthy  of  y'  calling,  for  money 
scemeth  to  be  verye  scant  among  them,  w'^'^  appeared  when 
our  men  offered  to  change  a  peece  of  8  for  aspers,  they  use 


CAPTAIN    DOWNTON    AT    ADKN,  171 

to  take  it  from  hand  to  hand,  gazing  as  at  a  Strang  thing, 
an  ill  signe  in  a  place  where  a  ship^s  lading  of  merchandise 
is  brought  to  sell." 

As  the  time  for  the  then  Governor  to  depart  drew  nigh, 
he  was  anxious  that  part  of  the  Peppercorn's  cargo  should 
have  been  landed,  and  frequently  he  commended  the  conli- 
dence  exhibited  by  Captain  Sharpheigh,  of  the  Ascension, 
Avho  had  boldly  landed  his  goods  ;  but  this  did  not  influence 
Captain  Downton,  whom  the  detention  of  his  men  had  made 
suspicious,  and  who,  in  consequence,  only  allowed  a  few  men 
at  a  time  on  shore,  ''w''^  restraint  drewe  on  me  much  secret 
euv^ye  and  backbiting  clamors  amongst  my  uubrideled 
people,  w^'^,  by  importunities,  had  almost  tired  me". 

During  a  temporary  absence  of  the  Meer,  the  captives 
fared  ill,  but  on  his  return  he  visited  them  in  their  prison, 
and  had  their  wants  supplied  at  his  own  cost,  and  further 
informed  them  that,  as  soon  as  their  countrymen  should 
begin  to  trade,  they  should  have  their  liberty  without  making 
payment  of  the  1500  Venetians,  also,  '^the  custome  was  5  in 
the  100"^,^'  all  other  charges  reasonable,  ready  gold  for  all 
goods  sold,  aud  that  they  might  send  one  of  their  own  men 
in  company  with  a  guide  provided  by  him  with  letters  to  Sir 
Henry  Middleton. 

Accordingly,  Captain  Downton  wrote  to  Moha  to  the 
General  inquiring  what  sales  the  latter  had  made,  the  prices 
of  goods,  what  customs  aud  other  duties  were  payable,  and 
what  dangers  lay  between  the  two  towns ;  also,  informing 
him  of  the  imprisonment  of  the  merchants,  and  asking 
advice  as  to  how  far  he  himself  should  put  faith  in  the  Turks. 
To  this  letter  no  answer  was  received. 

Permission  having  been  obtained  from  the  Governor, 
some  of  the  crew  were  sent  on  shore  to  make  cordage,  aud, 
on  the  12th  December,  these  men  were  treacherously  seized, 
some  put  in  the  stocks,  others  tortured,  and  all  of  them  ill 
used.     By  this  act.  Captain  Downton  lost  "  2  merchants,  a 


172  SEIZURE    OF    ENGLISH    SAILORS. 

purser,  and  one  to  attend  on  them,  a  gading  apothecarye, 
my  chirurgion,  and  my  Mr.  Caulker  (who  caried  my  Ire  to 
Moha  as  aforesayd),  my  boatswayne  and  one  of  his  mates, 
2  quarter  maisters,  the  cooper,  cai'penter,  gunner's  mate, 
and  cockswaine,  and  5  more  of  his  gang,  which  in  all 
are  20  persones,  some  fewe  for  there  pleasure,  the  rest  to 
worke,  save  the  gang  who  were  most  of  them  appointed  to 
keep  the  pinnace,  but  being  out  of  my  sight  they  did  what 
they  list,  and  the  boatswaine  seemed  to  want  there  help 
about  his  ropes". 

Captain  Downton  was  much  grieved  by  this  act,  and 
could  only  account  for  it  by  supposing  that  the  old  Turk 
was  leaving  suddenly,  and  had  adopted  this  course  to  force 
immediate  payment  of  his  demands,  especially  as  the  latter 
gave  out  that  he  would,  if  payment  was  not  at  once  made, 
hang  the  prisoners  on  the  beach.  Captain  Downton  then 
enquii'ed  why  his  men  had  been  so  injuriously  treated, 
their  respective  kings  being  in  league,  and  how  could  he 
with  security  pay  the  money  demanded.  Thereupon  it  was 
arranged  that  the  long  boat  should  lie  between  the  ship 
(but  within  range  of  her  guns)  and  the  shore,  and  that  as 
the  captives  were  brought  off  to  her  a  proportionate  sum  of 
money  should  be  handed  over.  For  some  unknown  reason 
the  Turks  did  not  keep  this  ari-angement,  and  as  there  did 
not  appear  to  be  any  chance  of  recovering  the  men,  as  well 
as  being  rendered  uneasy  about  the  safety  of  his  country- 
men at  Moha,  Captain  Downton^  having  previously,  as  far 
as  pi-acticable,  provided  for  the  wants  of  the  captives,  sailed 
on  the  ICth  of  December  for  Moha,  where  he  anchored  on 
the  21st  of  the  month,  not  far  from  the  Trades  Increase. 

On  the  20th  December  there  had  been  an  eclipse  of  the 
moon  at  four  in  the  afternoon. 

As  soon  as  the  Peppercorn  was  moored,  Mr.  Thornton, 
the  master  of  the  Tirades  Increase,  boarded  her,  and  in- 
formed Captain  Downton  of  the  events  that  had  happened 


THE  "trade's    increase"  AT    MOCHA.  173 

since  tlie  vessels  separated  at  Aden ;  tliat  tlie  Trades  In- 
crease had,  whilst  in  charge  of  a  native  pilot,  run  aground 
near  the  town,  and  that  most  of  her  stores  and  cargo  had  to 
be  landed  to  float  her  oif  j  that  the  Turks  exhibited  much 
seeming  kindness ;  also,  that  Lawrence  Femmell,  of  all 
others,  seemed  most  fearful,  so  that  in  a  private  boat  ho 
speedily  carried  all  his  things  ashore,  and  that  after  much 
labour  the  ship  was  floated  off.  Further,  "  y*  this  part  of 
Ai-abia,  from  Shaher,  being  neare  30  lea.  from  Aden 
eastwards,  and  up  the  Red  Sea  from  Camerat,  w"'^  is  70 
leagues  w''Mn  Bab  mendell,  and  I  know  not  how  far  w*in 
land,  is  called  the  laud  of  Yeamou,^  and  now  governed  by 
one  JeSer  Bashaw,  whose  residence  is  in  the  citye  of  Sinan, 
w'^''  they  acc°  to  be  by  moderate  travell  15  dayes  journey 
by  post ;  I  think  they  goe  and  come  in  this  time.  And  the 
Governours  of  Aden  and  Moha,  w"*^  is  treble  the  better 
place  in  y''  it  is  of  more  resort  of  ships,  and  these  Gover- 
nours are  yearelye  placed  by  him,  wherein  he  prefers  not 
men  of  vertue  and  good  parts,  but  anye  by  whom  he  may 
gaine  most  benefitt,  as  at  present  in  Moha  is  one  Regil, 
Agaw  by  his  place  or  ofiice,  who  was  his  servile  slave 
attending  on  him,  and  he  was  preferred  to  Aden,  where  he 
commaunded  the  other  yeare,  when  Capt.  Sharpeigh  was 
there,  and  for  y'  he  was  a  beneficiall  knave  to  his  Mr.,  he 
was  preferred  to  Moha,  a  better  place. 

The  Agaw  provided  a  house  for  the  merchants,  and  urged 
them  to  have  the  cargo  landed,  and  when  he  saw  that  no 
moi"e  goods  would  be  carried  ashore,  he  pretending  great 
friendship,  stated  that  it  was  customary  for  the  captains  of 
all  ships  visiting  his  town  as  a  pledge  of  greater  security  to 
receive  the  "  Grand  Senior^s  Vest",  which  being  once 
invested  in,  no  man  after  durst  offer  any  wrong,  and  that 
unless  Sir  Henry  Middleton  would  conform  to  this  custom, 
he  would  be  obliged  to  look  upon  him  with  distrust.     The 

'  Yemen, 


174  TKBA.CHERY    OP    THE    TURKS. 

General^  though  lie  put  little  faith  in  the  Agaw's  honesty, 
yet  considering  that  for  eight  months  the  ships  must  lie 
there,  that  the  Turks  had  it  in  their  power  to  withhold  or 
supply  water,  that  the  navigation  of  that  sea  was  unknown 
to  him,  and  having  received  a  message  from  Mr.  Femmell 
that  his  presence  on  shore  was  absolutely  necessary  for  the 
despatch  of  the  Company's  business,  consented  to  go 
through  the  ceremony.  When  the  General  landed  he  was 
met  by  the  Governor  and  principal  men  of  the  town,  carried 
to  the  Governor's  house,  where  he  was  clad  in  a  rich  vest  of 
cloth  of  gold,  and  a  horse  richly  furnished  provided  for 
him,  which  the  Governor  held  while  he  mounted  :  after  this 
ceremony,  solemn  protestations  of  friendship  were  made. 
Deceived  by  these  practices,  and  having  regard  to  the  long 
time  he  would  have  to  remain  there.  Sir  Henry  Middletou 
asked  permission  from  the  Governor  to  set  up  the  pinnace, 
which  had  been  brought  out  from  England  ready  framed. 
This  request  was  at  once  granted.  To  carry  on  this  work 
more  quickly.  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  with  the  carpenters, 
smiths,  and  other  workmen,  lived  on  shore. 

On  the  28th  November,  Regib  Agaw,  to  make  the  Gene- 
ral feel  more  secure,  sent  word  that  he  had  received  a  favor- 
able answer  from  the  Bashaw,  but  on  the  evening  of  that 
day  the  party  on  shore,  consisting  of  Sir  Henry  Middleton, 
Mr.  Pemberton,  and  others,  were  attacked  and  made  pri- 
soners, to  the  number  of  59  persons,  besides  eight  others 
who  were  killed.  That  same  night  an  attempt  was  made 
to  surprise  the  Darling,  as  that  vessel  lay  closer  in  to  the  town 
than  the  Trades  Increase.  "  The  Turks  coming  abord  and 
seeing  no  man  stix-ring,  thought  themselves  surelye  possest 
of  her,  murthering  the  trumpeter,  whom  they  found  aloft 
asleep,  but  in  the  end  our  mercifull  God  turned  there  pre- 
tended mischief  towai'ds  us  uppon  there  own  pates,  and 
made  them  fall  into  the  pitt  y*-  they  had  made  for  us,  for  in 
repelling  these  unexpected  enuimies  (though  to  the  loss  of 


SIR    IIEXUY    MTDDLETON    SENT    TO    SANA'  A.  175 

2  more  of  their  owne  men^  who  were  slaiiio  in  the  conflict) 
were  slaiue  and  drowned  in  the  flight  of  the  Turks  27, 
whereof  the  Admirall  of  the  towne,  who  was  their  leader, 
was  also  one."  The  Darling  then  weighed,  and  ran  closer 
to  the  Trades  Increase.  From  the  28th  of  November  till 
the  15th  December,  owing  to  storms,  there  was  no  commu- 
nication with  the  shore.  On  the  latter  day,  John  Chambers, 
a  quarter-master  of  the  Trades  Inci'ease,  was  sent  on  shore 
with  a  flag  of  truce  :  he  found  the  General  and  company 
chained  together  in  a  most  inhuman  manner,  yet  at  his 
return  brought  hopeful  news  of  the  probable  release  of  all 
except  Sir  Henry  Middleton  and  Mr.  Femmell,  who  were  to 
be  sent  to  Sinan  to  the  Bashaw.  On  the  17th,  the  same 
quarter-master  was  again  sent  on  shore,  but  the  news  he 
brought  back  was  not  good.  This  much  did  Captain  Down- 
ton  learn  from  Mr.  Thornton. 

Captain  Downton,  on  the  21st,  sent  a  letter  to  Sir  Henry 
Middleton,  who  sent  back  an  answer,  directing  him,  if  pos- 
sible, to  leave  the  Red  Sea,  and  to  await  further  intelligence 
at  Aden ;  also  adding,  that  he  himself  and  six  others  were  to 
be  sent  ofi"  to  Sinan^  on  the  following  day.  On  which  day 
the  General,  with  all  his  company  (the  carpenters,  who  in 
chains  were  forced  to  work  at  the  pinnace,  and  wounded 
men  excepted),  under  a  strong  guard,  were  despatched  on 
their  journey.  Notwithstanding  the  escort,  Mr.  Pemberton 
during  the  evening  effected  his  escape,  and  having  found  a 
canoe  on  the  beach,  he  put  to  sea,  and  on  the  following 
morning  was  picked  up,  in  a  very  exhausted  condition,  by  a 
boat  from  the  Trades  Increase. 

The  Darling  having  previously  rejoined  the  other  vessels, 
the  fleet,  on  the  2nd  January,  1610-11,  sailed  from  Moha 
with  the  threefold  intention  of  relieving  their  ground  tackle, 
procuring  fresh  water,  and  of  detaining  any  Indian  ships 
which  should  enter  the  Red  Sea,  and  thereby  to  compel  the 
Turks  to  release  the  captives.      Stress  of  weather  forced 

'  Sana'  a. 


176  NEWS    FROM    SIR    HENRY    MIDDLETON. 

the  Peppercorn  and  Trades  Increase  back  to  Molia, 
wliencej  when  rejoined  by  the  Darling,  they  again  sailed, 
and  on  the  19th  of  the  month  anchored  off  the  Abexin 
coast.'^  The  country  people  at  that  place  were  friendly,  and 
daily  brought  down  to  the  seaside  sheep  and  goats  for  sale. 
The  king^s  son,  who  visited  the  Trades  Increase,  informed 
Captain  Downton  that  the  Turks  had  sent  him  word  of 
what  they  had  done  at  Moha,  and  had  urged  him  to  follow 
their  example. 

Captain  Downton  sailed  from  this  anchorage  on  the  28tli 
January,  but  returned  there  on  receipt  of  a  letter  from  Sir 
Henry  Middleton  announcing  the  safe  arrival  at  Senan  of 
himself  and  his  party,  as  well  as  of  Mr.  Fowler  and  his 
company  from  Aden,  "  how  God  had  raised  him  frends 
amongst  the  mids  of  his  enimies,  to  witt,  the  Riha,  who  is 
next  in  degree  to  the  Bashaw,  w*'^  divers  others";  further, 
as  yet^  not  to  meddle  with  the  Indian  ships,  as  it  might 
prove  prejudicial,  not  only  to  him  and  his  company,  but 
also  to  those  who  trade  in  the  Mediterranean ;  and  lastly, 
that  the  Bashaw  had  cleared  Regib  Agaw  of  the  treachery 
perpetrated  at  Moha,  by  stating  that  it  was  done  by  his 
command. 

To  this  letter  Captain  Downton  replied  by  stating  that,  in 
obedience  to  the  General's  wish,  he  would  not  detain  any 
vessels,  although  it  had  been  his  intention  to  do  so ;  that 
Mr.  Pemberton  was  in  safety,  and  that  the  fleet  was  moored 
off  the  Abexin  coast,  opposite  Moha. 

The  Trades  Increase,  which  had  been  despatched  to  Moha, 
returned  to  the  Road  of  Assab  with  a  letter  from  Sir  Henry 
Middleton,  again  requesting  Captain  Downton  to  abstain 
from  taking  revenge  ;  also,  that  the  General  himself  and  his 
company  were  in  five  days'  time  to  start  on  their  return 
journey  to  Moha  :  and  also  announcing  the  death  of  John 
Baker  and  Richard  Elsmore. 

At  that  place  John  Taylor,  of  the  Peppercorn,  deserted, 
1  Abyssinian  coast. 


DETENTION    OF    SIR    HENRY    MIDDLETON.  177 

but   was  brought  back  by  the  natives^  for  which  they  re- 
ceived a  suitable  reward. 

Another  letter  was  received  from  Sir  Henry  Middleton  on 
the  2ud  March,  explaining  that  his  journey  was  delayed, 
partly  on  account  of  a  solemn  feast  which  was  nigh  at 
hand,  partly  to  have  the  company  of  the  "  Shawbender^^  of 
Moha  for  safer  travelling,  and  also  that  the  carpenters  were 
to  cease  work  on  the  pinnace,  as  the  Bashaw  intended  to 
detain  her  for  his  own  use. 

The  Darling  was  despatched  to  Moha  on  the  5*  by 
Captain  Downton,  to  seek  for  tidings  of  the  General :  in  the 
road  she  found  a  large  ship  of  Dabul,  called  the  Mahu- 
mettded.  As  she  did  not  return  for  some  days,  Captain 
Downton  got  the  other  two  ships  under  sail  to  cross  to 
Moha,  when  on  the  11*^  she  rejoined  them,  having  on 
board  40  of  the  captives  who  had  been  released,  and  a  letter 
from  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  in  which  he  expressed  a  hope  of 
being  released  as  soon  as  the  Indian  ships  had  arrived;  also 
stating  that  Richard  Phillips  had  turned  Turk ;  and  finally, 
asking  advice  whether  he  had  better  make  his  escape,  or 
wait  till  the  Turks  should  let  him  go. 

In  accordance  with  a  wish  expressed  by  Sir  Henry  Mid- 
dleton, Captain  Downton,  in  the  Peppercorn,  crossed  over  to 
Moha,  where  on  his  arrival  he  found  only  the  ship  of  Dabul. 
Immediately  on  his  arrival,  the  General  sent  off  a  letter  re- 
questing him  to  put  to  sea  again,  as  the  Dabulmen  were 
alarmed  at  his  presence,  and  the  Agaw  displeased. 

In  reply  to  this  letter.  Captain  Downton  wrote  two  to  the 
General,  in  one  of  which  he  pointed  out  that  the  Turks  were 
not  worthy  of  belief;  that  they  meant  to  detain  him  until 
the  ships  had  discharged  their  cargoes,  and  consequently 
there  would  then  be  only  the  empty  vessels  to  seize  when 
he  would  be  sent  on  board,  or  held  at  ransom,  or  sent  back 
again  to  Senan,^  and  thence  to  Stambola.^  The  second  letter 
'  Sana'  a.  '  Stamboul. 

2s 


178  MISUNDEESTANDINGS    BETWEEN 

was  meant  for  the  Agaw's  inspection,  if  Sir  Henry  Middle- 
ton  had  been  pleased  to  show  it  to  him  ;  in  it,  Captain 
Downton  declaimed  that  so  long  as  the  General  was  a  prisoner 
on  shore,  he  had  no  command  over  the  vessels,  but  that  he. 
Captain  Downton,  could  do  whatever  he  deemed  expedient. 

Sir  Henry  Middleton,  in  reply,  said  that  he  himself  was 
as  loath  to  remain  at  Moha  as  Captain  Downton  was  to  leave 
him  behind ;  but  that  he  had  agreed  with  the  Bashaw  that 
his  vessels  should  remain  absent  from  the  road  of  Moha  till 
after  all  the  Indian  ships  had  arrived,  then,  as  soon  as  the 
westerly  winds  had  set  in,  he  and  his  company  were  to  be 
liberated  :  that  he  was  unwilling  to  be  the  first  to  break  this 
agreement,  but  should  the  Turks  fail  to  keep  it,  then  Cap- 
tain Downton  should  act  as  he  thought  best  :  that  if  he.  Sir 
Henry  Middleton,  had  any  idea  that  the  Turks  meditated 
fresh  faithlessness,  he  would  make  his  escape,  as  he  had  had 
and  still  had  means  of  doing  so,  had  he  not  been  unwilling 
to  bring  his  people  into  danger:  that  he  had  already  formed 
a  plan  of  escape,  but  that  M^'  Femmell  would  not  be  per- 
suaded to  join  in  it,  being  fully  convinced  that  at  the  first 
coming  of  the  westerly  winds  they  would  all  be  sent  on  board : 
that  till  those  winds  blew.  Captain  Downton  was  to  remain  in 
his  own  quiet  roadstead  on  the  other  side  of  the  Red  Sea. 

In  obedience  to  this  letter,  Captain  Downton  sailed  from 
Moha,  and  on  the  21^*  anchored  under  an  island  to  the 
northwards  of  the  Bay  of  Asab,  alias  Margabra,  where  a  few 
days  later  he  received  a  "  verye  carping  and  most  distast- 
full  letter,  w'^'^  shalbe  needles  to  recite^^,  from  Sir  Henry 
Middleton,  clearly  the  result  of  a  misconstruction  of  his 
former  letter.  In  this  letter,  the  General  directed  that  the 
Darling  should  return  to  Moha  to  re-ship  the  provisions, 
and  that  the  Turk,  who  was  a  prisoner,  should,  if  it  was  safe 
to  do  so,  be  sent  over  in  the  Dai-ling. 

To  this  letter.  Captain  Downton  returned  answer,  that  he 
was  much  grieved  at  the  construction  Sir  Henry  Middleton 


MIDDLETON   AND    DOWNTON.  179 

liacl  put  upon  his  former  letters,  wliicli  were  intoncled  for  his 
private  perusal  and  not  for  that  of  "anye  malitious  or  fcaro- 
blasted  fellow  to  cantj  construe^  or  cavell  at":  that  he  could 
write  nothiug  so  plain  but  that  malicious  persons  could 
twist  the  meaning  thereof;  for  the  future,  although  he  could 
make  all  points  clear,  he  would  be  sparing  of  writing :  and, 
finally,  that  Sir  Henry  Middleton  might  rest  assured  that 
all  his  orders  would  be  thoroughly  obeyed. 

Sir  Henry  Middleton  replied  with  a  "  very  kind"  letter, 
asking  Captain  Downton  not  to  take  the  worst  view  of  his 
last  melancholy  letter :  reiterating  his  hope  of  being  shortly 
released,  but  that  he  also  had  means  (in  case  of  need)  for 
effecting  his  escape:  and  giving  directions  to  have  the  three 
vessels  careened.  This  latter  direction  Captain  Downton 
had  carried  out  as  quickly  as  possible. 

On  the  20th  April,  Captain  Downton  wrote  to  the  General, 
stating  that  pitch,  candles,  and  lamp  oil  were  much  needed, 
that  the  money  was  being  quickly  spent  in  the  purchase  of 
fresh  provisions,  and  asking  that  some  coarse  cloths  should 
be  sent  over  to  him,  by  which  means  money  would  be  saved 
and  the  natives  better  contented,  that  many  of  the  men 
were  ill,  and  no  means  left  to  recover  them,  the  medicine 
having  been  carried  on  shore  and  lost  at  Aden. 

The  King  of  Rohela,  having  sent  down  a  present  of  a  fat 
cow  and  a  slave  to  Captain  Downton,  the  latter  despatched 
George  Geffe  as  bearer  of  a  return  gift,  consisting  of  a 
damask  cloth,  a  piece,  and  sword-blade,  which  he  presented 
to  the  King  at  his  town  of  Areta. 

On  the  24th  April,  the  Darling  returned  from  Moha, 
having  with  her  the  pinnace  that  had  been  seized  at  Aden, 
the  articles  which  Captain  Downton  had  written  for,  and  a 
letter  from  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  in  which  he  reported  the 
arrival  of  several  small  vessels  from  Swes,^  and  one  great 
ship  richly  laden,  from  which  he  hoped  to  have  recompense 

•  Suez. 

N  2 


180  ESCAPE    OF    SIR    HKNRY    MIDDLETON. 

for  tlie  loss  of  time  and  detention  of  the  goods  (tlie  murder- 
ing of  the  men  excepted)  :  he  again  expressed  a  hope  that 
the  Turks  would  keep  their  promise,  but  should  they  fail  to 
do  so,  he  doubted  not  being  able  with  his  company  {''  God 
strengthning  them'')  to  cut  their  way  to  the  water-side;  and, 
the  boats  being  held  in  readiness,  thus  to  escape  :  also  that 
the  ships  were  not  to  be  careened  (as  to  do  so  would  require 
too  much  time),  but  to  be  trimmed  and  scraped  as  far  as 
possible  under  water. 

As  the  westerly  monsoon  did  not  set  in  at  the  time  Cap- 
tain Downton  expected  it  would,  on  the  9*  May  he  sent  the 
Darling  to  Moha  with  a  letter  for  the  General,  informing 
him  of  a  rumour  he  had  heard  from  a  Budwee  lately  returned 
from  Moha,  that  the  Bashaw  had  sent  to  Swes  for  25  gallies, 
and  had  also  directed  the  Agaw  to  make  agreement  with  the 
Indians  for  their  ships  to  arm  them,  either  to  attack  the 
three  ships,  or  to  resist  any  attempt  made  to  liberate  the 
captives  ;  also  asking  for  further  instructions. 

Sir  Henry  Middleton,  with  15  more  of  his  company,  made 
his  most  happy  escape  to  the  Darling  on  the  15*^^^  May,  and 
at  once  despatched  the  pinnace  to  let  Captain  Downton 
know  of  his  being  at  liberty,  and  to  direct  him  to  repair  to 
Moha  with  the  Peppercorn  and  the  Trade's  Increase. 

Captain  Downton's  reasons  for  having  remained  on  board 
his  own  ship  in  preference  to  taking  command  of  the  Trade's 
Increase  were,  that  he  felt  so  confident  of  procuinng  the 
General's  release,  either  at  the  change  of  the  monsoons,  or 
the  coming  of  the  Indian  ships  :  also  that  he  had  perfect 
confidence  in  the  master,  Giles  Thornton,  but  that  had  he 
himself  left  the  Peppercorn,  matters  would  not  have  gone 
well  on  board  of  her. 

Sir  Henry  Middleton  immediately  instituted  a  strict 
blockade,  so  that  no  boat  dared  to  leave  the  ships  or  the 
shore  without  having  first  obtained  his  permission,  so  that 
"  Regib  Agaw  of  Moha  began  to  sing  a  new  song". 


DEMANDS    FOR   COAIPENSATIOX.  181 

When  Captain  Downton  and  the  General  met,  the  latter 
related  the  manuer  of  his  escape ;  that  upon  the  arrival  of 
the  Indian  ships  he  had  sent  to  the  Aga\yj  from  whom  he 
had  received  a  harsh  and  careless  answer,  which  deteriained 
him  to  make  his  escape ;  in  pursuance  of  which  determina- 
tion he  directed  M^"  Pemberton  to  send  ashore  a  quantity 
of  wine  and  aquavitte.  On  the  11*,  the  Agaw,  in  great 
pomp^  rode  forth  from  the  town  to  his  garden  house,  on 
which  occasion  he  (the  General)  had  given  much  strong 
drink,  to  which  by  stealth  they  were  much  inclined,  to  his 
guards,  so  that  by  the  height  of  the  day  they  all  returned 
to  their  houses  to  rest ;  then  he  explained  to  such  of  the 
company  as  could  be  trusted  his  plans,  directing  them  to 
walk  down  to  the  water-side,  some  one  way,  some  another : 
he  himself,  concealed  in  an  empty  butt,  was  canned  down 
to  the  pinnace,  and  succeeded  in  picking  up  from  the  beach 
some  lo  of  his  men  before  the  Turks  interfered  :  Lawrence 
Femmell,  Chief  Merchant,  "whose  unweldye  fatnes"  hindered 
his  enlargement,  and  divers  others,  had  to  be  left  behind. 

Upon  rejoining  his  own  ship.  Sir  Henry  Middletou  was 
saluted  by  the  other  vessels,  and  presently  waited  upon  by 
Nahuda  Mahumett,  a  Malabar,  captain  of  a  ship  of  Calicut, 
and  divers  others  from  the  Agaw,  to  capitulate  peace,  but 
no  mention  was  made  of  any  compensation  for  the  losses 
incurred.  The  general  did  not  demand  much  at  first,  lest 
by  doing  so  he  might  fail  in  obtaining  all,  his  intention 
being  first  to  recover  his  men  still  on  shore,  and  the  newly 
built  pinnace.  The  Agaw  answered,  that  he  himself  could 
do  nothing,  his  position  being  precarious,  and  asked  for 
fifteen  days'  respite  to  communicate  with  the  Bashaw:  as  to 
returning  the  pinnace,  that  was  impossible,  it  and  all  goods 
being  held  for  the  Grand  Seignior. 

On  the  18*'^  May,  the  General  seized  a  gelba,  and  a  ship 
of  Diu,  which  belonged  to  Shermall,  Shabender  of  the 
Baneans  in  Moha.  The  passengers  and  pilgrims  who  were 
on  board  the  latter  he  sent  ashore. 


182  DEMANDS    FOR    COMPENSATION. 

The  Agaw,  on  the  25*^  May,  sent  word  to  Sir  Henry 
Middleton  that  he  had  received  the  Bashaw's  answer,  and 
that  the  men  and  pinnace  would  be  sent  on  board  next  day, 
on  which  day  Nahuda  Mahumett,  accompanied  by  the  prin- 
cipal Banean  merchants,  boarded  the  Admiral,  whom  the 
General,  the  men  and  pinnace  not  having  been  restored, 
detained,  directing  them  to  write  to  the  Agaw  to  explain 
the  i-easou  of  their  detention.  This  they  declined  to  do,  but 
promised,  if  they  were  allowed  to  depart,  to  retui-n  in  the 
evening  with  the  men,  which  they  did,  also  bringing  the 
General  a  present  of  a  rich  vest  from  the  Governor.  This 
present  Sir  Henry  Middleton  was  at  first  inclined  to  decline, 
but  was  persuaded  into  retaining. 

M''  Femmell  died  on  the  29*^^^  May,  seemingly  of  poison. 
Before  his  release,  he  had  been  invited  by  the  Agaw  to  a 
feast,  on  which  occasion  he  incautiously  threatened  to  make 
complaint  of  his  wrongs  at  Stambola.  At  parting,  the 
Agaw,  with  a  smiling  countenance,  said  they  would  meet  at 
Stambola. 

The  pinnace  having  been  restored,  was  named  the  Belief, 
and  George  GefFe  put  into  her  as  master. 

Having  recovered  his  men  and  pinnace,  Sir  Henry  Mid- 
dleton next  demanded  the  restoration  of  his  goods,  and  of 
M^"  Pemberton's  boy,  who  had  been  forced  to  turn  Turk. 
The  Agaw's  reply  was  a  request  for  15  days'  respite  to  con- 
sult the  Bashaw.  A  few  days  later,  the  General  received  a 
visit  from  AUee  Haskyo,  whose  mission  was  to  learn  the 
sum  demanded  as  compensation,  which  sum  was  100,000 
rialls  of  8. 

The  Darling  was  despatched  on  the  8*'^  June  to  Belowle, 
on  the  Abexin  coast,  some  10  leagues  northwards  of  Assab, 
to  procure  water  and  provisions  for  the  relief  of  the  men, 
"  who  now  began  to  fall  sick  of  a  faint  disease,  the  best 
remidye  for  w'''^,  as  we  found,  was  letting  of  blood  and 
purging  of  the  bodyc ;  this  disease  went  away  in  boyles  and 
scabs,  and  this  disease  no  man  escaped''. 


RESTITUTION    OP    STOLEN    PROPERTY.  183 

On  the  19'^  June,  Sliermall,  Sliabender  of  Mohaj  accom- 
jianied  by  many  of  the  chief  merchants  of  the  town,  and 
Alice  Haskye,  and  Tacacee,  a  Banian,  in  state,  with  divers 
sorts  of  music,  visited  Sir  Henry  Middletou  to  arrange  terms 
for  the  restitution  of  the  goods  :  which  terms,  considering 
that  there  was  no  chance  of  getting  more,  and  that  what 
would  be  paid  would  come  out  of  the  pocket  of  the  Sliaben- 
der of  the  Benians,  who  had  been  such  a  good  friend  to  the 
captives,  were  that  the  lead  and  iron  should  bo  returned, 
and  that  a  sum  of  18,000  rialls  of  8  should  be  paid  in  com- 
pensation for  the  other  goods ;  that,  as  there  was  not  so 
much  money  in  the  town,  part  of  the  Diuman^s  cargo  should 
be  accepted  as  security  ;  and  that  that  vessel  should  then 
be  allowed  to  draw  in  nearer  to  the  town  to  dispose  of  her 
remaining  goods :  that  the  final  payment  should  be  made 
within  14  days.  In  accordance  with  the  agreement,  68 
bales  of  indigo  and  7  packs  of  Indian  cloths  were  trans- 
ferred to  the  Traders  Increase.  M'"  Pemberton's  boy  was 
also  sent  on  board. 

All  the  lead  and  iron  having  been  re-shipped,  and  the 
final  payment  made  on  the  2^^  of  July,  the  Sliabender  was 
allowed  to  remove  his  goods,  and  on  his  departure  was 
saluted  with  three  guns,  of  which,  one  being  a  demi- 
culverin,  broke,  but  praised  be  God,  did  no  great  harm. 

While  Sir  Henry  Middletou  remained  a  prisoner  at  Senan, 
Jefier  Vizier  Bashaw  having  then  made  a  promise  to  re- 
lease him  upon  the  arrival  of  the  Indian  sliijjs,  he  endea- 
voured to  induce  the  Bashaw  to  restore  the  goods  and  pin- 
nace, and  to  obtain  a  promise  that  if  any  Englishmen  should 
thereafter  visit  those  regions,  they  should  have  warning  of 
what  was  in  store  for  them  instead  of  (under  colour  of  friend- 
ship) being  deluded  and  abused.  The  first  request  the 
Bashaw  refused  to  comply  with,  saying  that  all  goods  were 
for  the  Grand  Seignior's  benefit,  and  that  with  regard  to 
the  second,  he  would  deal  harder  with  future  visitors  than 


184  MEDITATED  REPRISALS. 

he  did  to  the  first.  Sir  Henry  Middleton  considered  this 
answer  to  be  a  warning,  and  as  he  had  now  by  force  ob- 
tained restitution  of  all  his  goods,  he  proposed  terms  of  peace 
with  the  Bashaw,  that  for  three  years  from  that  date  no 
Englishman  should  hurt  or  damage  any  Turk  between  that 
town  and  Cape  Comorin  or  southermost  point  of  Malabar, 
and  that  the  Bashaw  should  give  a  pledge  under  his  hand 
that  no  wrong  should  be  offered  to  any  Englishman  at  any 
towns  or  ports  under  his  rule.  As  neither  the  Bashaw  nor 
Regib  Agaw  made  any  allusion  to  this  proposal,  the  General 
interpreted  their  silence  as  a  confirmation  of  the  former 
answer,  and  therefore  determined  to  use  his  best  means  to 
prevent  the  same. 

On  July  the  3'',  the  General  sailed  from  Moha  for  Asab, 
at  which  place  he  hoped  to  obtain  fresh  provisions.  While 
the  vessels  lay  at  that  place  the  King  of  Raheta/  by  Abdella, 
his  sister^s  son,  sent  down  presents,  for  which  suitable  re- 
turns were  made. 

Sir  Henry  Middleton,  wishing  to  avenge  his  wrongs,  and 
with  the  concurrence  of  his  officers,  having  determined  to 
seize  a  Turkish  galleon  which,  with  divers  gallies  richly 
laden,  was  then  on  the  passage  to  Moha,  on  the  2i'^^  July 
sailed  from  Asab  for  Cameran,^  an  island  off"  the  Arabian 
coast,  forty  leagues  to  the  northwards  of  Moha,  where  he 
expected  to  find  the  galleon ;  but  the  fleet  having  run  in 
amongst  dangerous  shoals,  there  being  no  pilot  on  board, 
and  the  weather  being  very  uncertain,  he  from  prudence 
abandoned  the  attempt  and  returned  to  his  former  anchor- 
age. A  few  days  later,  having  obtained  from  a  jelba  two 
natives  of  Beloule,  who  were  well  acquainted  with  Cameran, 
the  General  held  a  council,  whether  the  attempt  should  be 
renewed,  but  the  unanimous  opinion  (the  time  of  year,  and 

'  Asab  Bay  is  on  the  Dana'kil  coast,  opposite  Mocha;  into  which  the 
Raheita  river  falls. 

'  Kamai'du,  a  low  island  twelve  miles  loug,  thirty  miles  south  of  Loheia. 


EETDRN    TO    SOCOTRA.  185 

the  fact  that  the  vessels  would  have  to  touch  at  Socotra 
being  duly  considered)  was  against  doing  so.  When  the 
fleet,  a  little  later,  anchoi-ed  before  Moha,  this  galleon  was 
found  there,  her  cargo  having  been  discharged. 

From  Mellccamber,  Naliuda  of  the  Mahumedi  of  Dabul, 
Sir  Henry  JMiddleton  received  a  letter  in  case  he  should  visit 
Dabul.  lu  return  for  this  letter  he  gave  a  similar  one 
addressed  to  any  Englishman  Mellecamber  Nahuda  might 
fall  in  with.  To  the  Shabender,  Sir  Henry  Middletou  in- 
trusted letters  to  be  forwarded  to  Loudon  by  way  of  "Messa 
or  Grand  Cairo,  as  we  call  it".  No  pilots  were  obtained 
from  the  Indian  ships,  as  the  men's  terms  were  exor- 
bitant. 

All  business  at  Moha  having  been  completed,  the  fleet 
sailed  from  that  place  on  the  9*'^  August,  and  on  the 
31^''  of  that  month  anchored  in  the  Road  of  Delisha.  Two 
days  previously,  the  Peppercorn  spent  her  maiuyard,  the 
mainsail  being  split,  thus,  regard  being  had  to  the  hollow 
sea  in  which  the  vessel  lay,  dangerously  shortening  sail. 

Three  vessels  lay  at  anchor  before  Delisha:  one,  a  ship  of 
Diu,  of  400  tons,  carrying  merchants,  passengers,  and  sailors 
to  the  number  of  700  men,  bound  for  Jedda;  the  second,  a 
ship  of  Nagowe,  whose  ISTahuda  and  company  were  chiefly 
Banians,  bound  to  India, — these  two  vessels,  having  lost  the 
easterly  monsoon,  were  wintering  at  Socotra ;  the  third 
vessel  belonged  to  the  king  of  the  island. 

Water  and  ballast  having  been  obtained,  and  some  26°^- 
o  v"s-  of  alloes  purchased  at  25  rials  of  8  per  cwt.,  and  further 
letters  of  warning  for  such  Englishmen  as  might  touch  there 
on  their  way  to  the  Ked  Sea,  having  been  left  with  the 
King,  the  vessels  on  the  4*^^  Sept^'  sailed  from  Socotra,  and 
on  the  18*''^  of  that  month  land,  being  a  point  some  ten 
leagues  distant  from  Diu,  was  sighted.  Groping  along,  with 
tha  lead  constantly  going,  the  fleet  stood  on  until  the  23*^, 
on  which   day  Sir  Hemy  Middleton  learned  from  the  crew 


186  BAD    NEWS   FROM    SUKAT. 

of  a  native  boat  that  lie  had  overshot  Surat  by  some  leagues. 
On  the  following  day  pilots  were  obtained  from  another 
boat ;  they  reported  16  armed  Portugal  frigates  lying  off 
the  bar  of  Surat.  On  September  the  26''^  the  vessels 
anchored  in  the  road  south  of  the  bar  of  Surat,  where  three 
Indian  ships  were  lyiug,  which,  said  the  pilot,  were  intended 
to  be  laden  for  Sumatra,  but  partly  by  reason  of  Sir  Henry 
Middleton^s  approach,  partly  that  the  Portugals  would  make 
no  reasonable  terms  for  customs  and  cartas,  or  passes,  had 
given  over  the  voyage. 

Don  Francisco  de  Soto,  major,  captain-major  of  the  forces 
of  Damon  and  Chaoul,  and  the  captain-major  of  Diu,  with 
18  Portugal  frigates,  kept  up  so  close  a  blockade  that  noue, 
without  being  searched  to  see  if  they  had  letters  or  pro- 
visions for  the  English,  could  approach  the  fleet,  the  crews 
of  which,  for  want  of  fresh  victuals,  were  suffering  from 
scurvy. 

The  General  had  expected  to  have  found  merchants  at 
that  place,  from  whom  he  might  have  obtained  information 
respecting  the  Company^s  business  and  the  disposition  of 
the  natives  ;  instead  of  which,  he  learned  from  a  letter  con- 
veyed in  a  cane  to  one  of  the  native  ships,  that  Nicholas 
Baingham  (a  joiner  left  there  by  the  Hector),  the  writer, 
alone  was  at  Surat;  from  whom,  after  many  days,  he  re- 
ceived two  letters  intended  for  him,  the  one  from  Captain 
Hawkins,  written  at  Agra,  where  was  the  residence  of  the 
Mogul ;  the  other  from  Lahore,  from  William  Finch,  who 
was  then  on  his  way  homewards  overland  through  Persia. 
In  these  letters,  the  writers  expressed  but  little  hope  of  any 
good  in  that  country,  the  people,  from  the  king  to  the  slave, 
being  without  faith  or  honesty.  This  intelligence  greatly 
troubled  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  as  a  large  quantity  of  goods, 
which  would  not  be  vendible  elsewhex'e,  had  been  provided 
for  trade  at  Surat.  Later,  Nicholas  Baingham  sent  word 
that  Captain  Sharpeigh,  John  Jourdain,  and  others,  were 


BLOCKADE  OF  THE  TOKTUGALS.  187 

daily  expected  at  Surat  from  Agra  by  way  of  Cambaya. 
AVhou  this  party  had  arrived,  thoy  were,  by  reason  of  the 
watchfidnoss  of  the  Portugals,  unable  to  reach  the  vessels. 
During  all  that  time  the  General  kept  the  Indian  ships  by 
him,  as  by  their  boats,  despite  the  Portugals  searching 
them,  he  had  letters  conveyed  to  his  countrymen  on  shore. 

tStrict  orders  were  given  by  Sir  Henry  Middleton  that  no 
violence  should  be  otiered  the  Portugals,  unless  they  were 
the  assailants.  Emboldened  by  this  impunity,  their  frigates 
used  to  run  very  close  to  the  vessels,  and  at  night  watch 
had  to  be  kept  against  any  attempt  to  surprise  the  smaller 
ships.  At  length  the  General  sent,  by  a  native  boat,  a 
letter  to  the  Captain-major,  being  a  caveat  against  breaking 
the  peace  between  their  respective  princes,  and  giving  the 
reasons  for  his  being  thei'e.  To  this  letter  no  answer  was 
returned. 

On  the  day  following,  a  flag  of  truce  was  displayed  by 
the  Traders  Increase,  upon  which  the  Captain-major  sent  a 
letter  to  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  wherein  he  denied  no  courtesy 
that  in  him  lay  to  afford,  and  offered  to  accompany  Sir 
Henry  Middleton  to  Goa  to  learn  the  Viceroy's  pleasure, 
otherwise  he  could  not  allow  of  any  business  being  trans- 
acted. "  He  omitted  no  complement  according  to  the  Por- 
tugals fashion.'" 

On  September  the  thirtieth  Captain  Dowuton,  by  the 
General's  order,  attempted  to  find  a  passage  across  the  bar, 
but  this  attempt  was  frusti'ated  partly  by  the  Portugals, 
who  were  ready  to  cut  off  the  boats  engaged  in  sounding  if 
they  ventured  beyond  the  range  of  the  ships'  g'l-ins,  and 
partly  by  the  sudden  shoaling  of  the  water. 

Sir  Henry  Middleton  next  requested  the  Captain-major, 
if  the  latter  could  not  allow  him  to  trade  there,  to  permit 
Captain  Sharpeigh  and  his  companions  to  join  the  Trade's 
Increase ;  to  which  the  Portugal  answered  no,  for  he  could 
carry  them  to  Goa,  whence  they  should  be  sent  home. 


188  HOSTILITY    OF    THE    PORTCGALS. 

About  tlie  same  time  Captain  Sharpeigh  attempted,  by 
some  principal  Portugal  then  on  land  at  Surat^  to  obtain 
from  the  Captain-major  a  segure,  or  safe-conduct  for  his 
passage  to  the  English  ships.  The  Portugal  scoffingly  sent 
him  a  segure  for  a  passage  to  his  own  vessel,  without 
making  any  mention  for  their  departure  thence,  adding  (to 
show  how  basely  he  thought  of  them)  that  ''  if  they  would 
take  there  passage  along  w^^im  to  Goa,  he  would  use  him 
and  his  companye  w*^  as  much  courtesye,  as  he  would  doe 
Turks,  Moores,  and  other  nations  y''  use  these  seas  :  and  all 
other  nations  (a  fewe  Persians  excepted)  are  Jewes,  Benians, 
and  Gentils,  w'^^  though  it  were  in  him  a  most  vile  and  un- 
pleasing  speach,  yet  I  like  well  his  plainnes  in  shewing  them 
what  to  trust  to." 

As  no  fresh  provisions,  owing  to  the  watchfulness  of  the 
Portugals,  could  be  procured,  for  want  of  which  many  men 
fell  illj  Sir  Henry  Middleton  forwarded  instructions  to  Cap- 
tain Sharpeigh  to  despatch  some  to  the  fleet  at  all  risks. 
This  the  latter  did  j  but  the  boat  was  captured  by  the  Por- 
tugals,  upon  which  "  in  scoffe  the  Captaine-major  sent 
presently  thanks  unto  Captaine  Sharpeigh  for  his  cai'e  of 
him  in  sending  him  victuals  for  his  supply." 

Sir  Henry  Middleton,  on  the  12*-^  October,  made  another 
attempt  to  discover  a  place  where  the  ships  could  be  suffi- 
ciently close  to  the  shore  to  command  the  landing  place 
with  their  guns.  For  this  purpose,  the  vessels  stood  in  to- 
wards the  land ;  the  smaller  ones,  with  their  boats  ahead, 
taking  soundings,  being  in  advance,  while  the  Portugal 
frigates  ever  kept  in  shore  of  them.  The  Portugals,  em- 
boldened by  long  immunity,  having  attempted  to  cut  off  the- 
Darling's  boat,  the  master  of  that  vessel  opened  fire  on 
them ;  upon  which,  the  crew  of  one  frigate,  seeing  the  shot 
falling  around  them,  ran  their  boat  ashore,  and  though  the 
other  frigates  at  first  seemed  inclined  to  attempt  a  rescue, 
she  remained  a  prize.     In   her  were  found  several  Indian 


COMMUNICATION  OPENED  WITH  THE  SHORE.      180 

coinmodities  of  small  value.  Thus  the  peace  between  the 
English  and  Poi-tugals  was  broken.  On  the  13*^^  the  vessels 
ran  further  iu.  On  that  da^',  the  General  having  given 
letters  to  certain  men  from  the  Indian  ships^  and  having 
made  them  presents,  despatched  them  to  Captain  Sharpeigh, 
promising  further  rewards  to  any  man  who  should  return 
with  an  answer.  This,  though  many  promised,  none  per- 
formed. On  the  same  day,  a  supply  of  paddy  was  obtained 
from  a  native  boat,  the  owners  of  which  went  away  well 
contented  with  the  price  they  received  for  it.  On  the  14*^^^  a 
frigate  was  intercepted,  on  board  of  which  were  two  ser- 
vants of  Mucci'ab  Chaun,  the  Viceroy  of  the  country,  to 
whom  Sir  Henry  Middleton  sent  word  that  he  had  letters 
and  a  present  from  the  King  of  England  for  him,  and  also 
a  present  and  letter  of  more  import  for  the  Grreat  Mogul, 
adding  that  there  was  iu  the  ships  a  great  store  of  goods 
for  trade.  By  the  same  men,  the  General  wrote  to  Captain 
Sharpeigh. 

On  the  15*'^,  John  Jourdain,  with  one  Jadaw  (formerly 
Captain  Hawkins's  broker),  succeeded  in  reaching  the  fleet. 
The  former  stated  that  the  whole  company  had  originally 
started  for  the  coast,  but  deeming  escape  for  so  many  im- 
possible, as  the  Portugals  were  very  watchful,  had  returned 
to  Surat;  that  he  himself,  with  the  Banian,  had,  by  lying- 
in  the  fields  for  three  days,  succeeded  in  eluding  their 
enemies. 

On  the  day  following,  Sir  Henry  Middleton  made  an 
attempt  to  capture  two  of  the  Portugal  frigates,  which,  the 
wind  and  tide  proving  unfavorable,  was  a  failure :  but  later 
on,  the  same  day,  the  same  two  frigates,  accompanied  by 
two  more,  in  one  of  "  which  was  the  late  captaine  of  our 
little  frigat,  who  lately  hazarded  his  life  by  running  away 
in  the  deep  mud",  attempted  to  recover  the  prize,  and 
though  the  wiud  was  as  fair  for  the  Portugals  as  adverse 
to  the  boats  from  the  fleet  which  were  hastening  to  her  aid; 


190  CAPTAIN    SHAEPEIGH    COMES    ON    BOAED. 

yet  when  the  former,  contraiy  to  their  expectations^  saw  the 
boats  pressing  on,  and  saw  the  musket-balls  almost  drop- 
ping around  them,  they  changed  their  minds,  '^for  they  all 
at  once  exchanged  their  sternes  for  their  prowes". 

On  the  17*^^,  the  General  having  landed  at  the  point  of 
South  Swally,  towards  evening,  some  of  the  country  people 
visited  him.  These  men  said  they  would  have  come  down 
earlier  had  not  the  Portugals  been  in  their  town  in  the 
morning,  and  they  further  reported  a  rumour  that  the 
Governor,  with  the  Englishmen,  were  to  come  down  to  the 
ships  on  the  morrow ;  instead  of  whom,  the  General,  when 
two  days  later  he  again  landed,  was  met  by  Jadaw  and  a 
Persian  merchant  (formerly  the  GeneraPs  neighbour  at 
Moha),  who,  by  their  own  story,  were  sent  forward  to  an- 
nounce the  Governor's  approach.  Sir  Henry  Middleton 
then  returned  to  his  ship  to  make  ready  a  present ;  after 
which  he  again  landed,  but  the  governor  of  Surat  did  not 
appear,  sending  an  excuse,  that  if  he  did  so,  Muccrab  Chan 
would  take  it  ill,  and  say  that  he  had  received  some  great 
and  rich  present ;  perceiving  from  this  the  Governor's  dis- 
trust, and  being  acquainted  with  the  perfidious  dealings  of 
these  people,  the  General  sent  a  present  to  the  Governor 
instead  of  visiting  him. 

On  the  same  day,  Thomas  Watkins,  one  of  the  Ascen- 
sion's crew,  joined  the  fleet. 

On  the  20*^^,  a  boat  having  been  sent  ashore,  the  crew 
had  a  slight  brush  with  the  Portugals ;  and  two  days  later 
the  General,  with  thirty  men,  having  landed,  were  attacked; 
but  upon  making  a  stand,  the  Portugals  also  halted,  although 
there  were  some  three  hundred  of  them.  Upon  this.  Sir 
Henry  Middleton  made  his  men  embark,  both  parties  ex- 
changing a  harmless  fire. 

Captain  Sharpeigh,  attended  by  a  guard  of  a  hundred 
horsemen,  ari'ived  on  the  25'^  October  at  the  water  side, 
and,   accompanied  by  Jadaw,  embarked.      Next   day.   Sir 


FURTHER   ANNOYANCE    PROM    THE    PORTUOALS.  191 

Henry  Middleton,  with  Captain  Sharpeigh  and  John  Jour- 
dain,  landed,  and  were  received  by  Coia  Nazan.  The  Gene- 
ral was  carried  ashore  in  a  palankin.  At  this  conference  it 
was  arranged  that  the  ships  should  go  to  Gogo  (on  the  west 
side  of  the  gulf,  close  to  Cambaya),  and  native  pilots  were 
to  be  provided  for  that  purpose.  At  this  pointy  in  conse- 
quence of  a  sudden  (and  at  the  time  of  year  unusual)  shower, 
the  meeting  was  adjourned  to  the  following  day^  when,  as 
Goga^  by  the  pilot^s  account^  was  unfit  for  the  vessels  to  lie 
at,  it  was  settled  that  the  fleet  should  stand  out  to  sea  for 
six  days  (in  hopes  that  the  Portugals  too  would  sail  from 
thence),  and  then  return  for  the  despatch  of  business. 

Previous  to  sailing,  Sir  Henry  Middleton  wrote  a  letter 
to  Don  Francisco  de  Soto,  the  Captain-major,  enumerating 
the  discourtesies  suffered  at  his  hands,  viz.:  the  preventing 
communication  with  the  shore  and  the  exchange  of  letters ; 
the  detaining  of  provisions  destined  for  the  relief  of  the 
sick,  and  converting  the  same  to  his  own  use ;  the  refusing 
permission  to  the  compan}^  on  shore  to  embark,  who,  being 
once  on  board,  the  fleet  would  have  sailed;  and  the  attempt- 
ing to  cut  off  the  boats  employed  in  taking  soundings,  on 
which  occasion  one  of  his  frigates  was  captured,  which  (there 
being  no  further  need  of  her)  would  be  restored  to  him  on 
sending  for  her.  The  Indian  ships,  detained  for  convenience 
of  transmitting  letters  to  Captain  Sharpeigh,  were  allowed 
to  proceed  to  Surat. 

As  the  Portugal  frigates  persistently  followed  the  fleet.  Sir 
Henry  Middleton  (having  determined  to  transact  his  busi- 
ness despite  of  them)  returned  to  South  Swally.  When 
night  fell,  the  Portugals  in  the  river  discharged  many  guns, 
saying  that  they  did  so  having  heard  of  the  approach  of  two 
great  gallies  and  twenty  frigates, — thinking,  with  such  lies, 
to  terrify  the  General  and  his  companions,  who  were  now 
armed  to  withstand  them. 

M"^"  Thornton   havino-   failed    to   discover   an   anchorage 


192  HOSTILITY    OF    THE    PORTUGALS. 

where  the  vessels  might  command  the  shore  with  their 
guns,  Sir  Henry  Middleton  despatched  M'"  Pemberton^  on 
whom  he  relied  greatly,  in  quest  of  such  :  the  latter  dis- 
covered a  place,  where  not  only  the  smaller  ships,  but  also 
the  Traders  Increase,  if  somewhat  lightened,  might  ride. 
Into  this  anchorage  the  fleet  moved,  and  let  go  their 
anchors  in  8  fathoms ;  on  the  bar,  at  high  water,  the  depth 
was  three  fathoms  and  a  foot,  and  at  low  water  thi'ee  feet. 
The  Portugal  frigates  followed  the  fleet  and  anchored  to  the 
northwards,  somewhat  beyond  the  range  of  the  shijDS^  guns. 

M""  Baingham,  on  the  8*^  November,  returned  to  the  fleet 
with  the  provisions  (limes,  bread,  lamp-oil,  and  candles)  re- 
quired by  the  different  vessels. 

Having  heard  from  a  native  that  a  strong  force  of  Portu- 
gals  had  entered  the  river.  Sir  Henry  Middleton  gave  orders 
that  the  pinnace  and  the  other  two  ships  should  cross  the 
bar  and  anchor  close  to  the  Trade's  Increase ;  but  when  he 
had  learned  that  these  vessels  were  Portugal  merchantmen, 
he  directed  the  Darling  and  Peppercorn  to  return  to  their 
anchorage.  While  obeying  this  order,  the  latter  vessel,  being 
becalmed,  drifted  ashore  on  the  bar;  but  at  the  next  high  tide 
she  was  warped  ofi"  without  having  suffered  much  injury. 
The  Portugals,  while  the  vessel  lay  aground,  made  no  at- 
tempt to  molest  her. 

Coia  Nazan  having  had  an  interview  with  Sir  Henry 
Middleton,  promised  that  his  ships  would  shortly  appear  to 
cany  on  trade;  he  also  caused  a  market  for  provisions  to  bo 
held  on  the  beach. 

The  country  people,  contrary  to  their  usual  custom,  not 
having  appi'oached  the  market  on  the  21^'' Novembei',  Cap- 
tain Downton,  from  this  circumstance  rendered  cautious, 
had  the  ships'  guns  trained  on  the  landing-place.  A  party 
having  landed,  some  500  Portugals  attempted  to  cut  them 
off  from  the  boats;  but  the  ships  opening  fire  and  ''having 
a  little  tasted  of  our  shott  both  out  of  great  and  small  peeces, 


PROCEEDINGS    AT    SURAT.  193 

and  seeing  some  of  there  follows  tum!)Hng  in  tlie  mud,  tlicy 
made  as  great  liaist  back^'.  Many  of  those  who  fell,  after- 
wards crawled  away ;  but  one,  Antonio  de  Sowso,  badly 
wounded  in  the  head,  lay  still,  whom  Captain  Downton  had 
carried  on  board  his  ship,  where  he  died  within  two  hours. 

Three  days  later,  there  came  down  Muccrab  Chan  "  with 
a  100  horsemen  and  many  more  footmen,  5  elephants  with 
divers  camels,  carts,  and  oxen  for  transportation  of  his  pro- 
visions, wherein  he  shewed  his  greatnes ;  furthermore,  he 
had  divers  carts  to  carye  his  leoi^ards,  wherewith,  at  his 
pleasure  he  useth  to  hunt".  Sir  Henry  Middleton  landed 
to  salute  him,  and  on  their  meeting  salutes  were  fired  both 
on  land  and  by  the  vessels.  The  letter  of  the  King  of  Eng- 
land and  various  presents  having  been  presented,  Muccrab 
Chan  accompanied  Sir  Henry  Middleton  to  the  Trade's  In- 
crease, on  board  of  which  vessel  he  remained  that  night  and 
part  of  the  next  day.  The  General  often  brought  to  Muc- 
crab Chang's  notice  the  main  business  of  the  voyage,  which 
the  latter  always  postponed,  considering  as  "all  his  hooking 
was  both  by  himself  and  by  divers  instruments  to  find  out 
and  buy  all  such  fantasticall  toyes  y*  might  fitt  his  tourne, 
to  please  the  toyish  humor  of  the  great  King,  his  M'"^^;  but 
for  anything  else,  unless  it  might  serve  his  own  purpose,  he 
cared  not :  for  this  purpose  he  also  visited  the  Darling  and 
Trade's  Increase. 

Muccrab  Chan  purchased  all  the  chests  of  sword-blades, 
"  whereof  he  seemed  so  greedye,  as  he  would  not  trust  us 
to  send  them  after  him,  but  would  see  them  all  sent  ashore 
before  his  departure^';  but  in  a  few  days,  having  picked  out 
such  as  pleased  him,  he  returned  the  residue  "  careleslye 
and  ill  conditioned,  as  there  accustomed  manner  is  to  doe 
all  things  whatsoever  they  have  bought,  when  by  all  the 
view  they  can  have  they  dislike  the  same". 

Sir  Henry  Middleton,  Captain  Sharpeigh,  John  Jourdaiu, 
and  Captain  Downton,  accompanied  Maccrab  Chan  ashore, 

o 


194  PROCEEDINGS    AT    SURAT. 

and  again  endeavonred,  tliougli  unsuccessfully,  to  come  to 
some  agreement  about  business.  Next  day,  Sir  Heniy 
Middleton,  upon  landing,  was  informed  that  Muccrab  Chan 
had  departed,  and  he  was  further  told  that  the  latter  had 
gone  to  the  Portugals  to  endeavour  to  bring  about  a  friendly 
feeling  between  him  and  them,  which  statement  the  General 
did  not  believe ;  but  suspected  that  Muccrab  Chan^  having 
received  from  him  all  the  presents  likely  to  be  given,  had 
now  visited  the  Portugals  to  see  what  he  would  receive  from 
them.  On  the  following  day,  Muccrab  Chan  sent  one  of  his 
chief  gentlemen  and  his  broker  with  a  letter  to  Sir  Henry 
Middleton,  begging  his  ''  perfumed  jerkin,  and  his  spaniell 
dog",  and  also  asking  for  a  model  of  a  chain  pump ;  the 
jerkin  and  dog  were  subsequently  forwarded  in  charge  of 
Coia  Nazan. 

At  this  period,  Bartholomew  Davis,  one  of  the  carpenters, 
was  sent  up  to  Surat  to  purchase  timber  for  repairing  the 
Release,  but  did  not  succeed  in  procuring  any,  and  as  the 
pinnace  was  thoroughly  rotten,  she  was  shortly  afterwards 
broken  up. 

On  the  2&^  November,  a  flotilla  of  120  Portugal  frigates 
bound  for  Goa,  passed  the  fleet. 

After  much  bickering,  Muccrab  Chan  and  Coia  Nazan 
agreed  to  purchase  the  lead  and  other  goods,  as  without 
doing  so  they  could  not  jDrocure  the  velvet,  quicksilver,  and 
vermilion,  but  so  soon  as  they  had  obtained  possession  of 
these  latter  commodities  they  commenced  to  wrangle  about 
prices,  and  ordered  the  carts  containing  tlieir  own  goods  to 
be  driven  away  from  the  shore.  When  informed  of  these 
proceedings.  Sir  Henry  Middleton  detained  the  Governor 
of  Surat  and  Coia  Arsan  Alice,  who  were  then  on  board  the 
Trade's  Increase,  as  security  for  his  goods,  and  then  having 
consulted  Captain  Downton  went  ashore,  and  iuforra'ed  Coia 
Nazan  of  what  he  had  done,  adding  that,  as  the  Governor 
of  Surat  had^  out  of  courtesy,  visited  the  ships,  and  as  no 


PROCEEDINGS    AT    SUHAT.  195 

business  could  bo  transacted  witliout  liim^  he  would  liberato 
the  latter  in  excliaug-e  for  Coia  Nazau.  Having-  no  choice, 
he,  with  a  grim  look  and  sour  countenance,  agreed  to  this 
arrangement  and  was  sent  on  board  the  Peppercorn,  from 
which  vessel  he  was  afterwards  transferred  to  the  Trade's 
Increase.  For  the  despatch  of  business,  it  was  deemed 
necessary  to  release  both  the  hostages,  other  pledges  beino' 
left  in  their  place,  for  Coia  Nazau,  his  son-in-law,  Coia 
Jillardine,  and  one  of  his  sous,  and  for  Coia  Arsan 
Allee,  two  Persian  merchants;  while  John  Williams  and 
Henry  Boothby  were  similarly  held  as  hostages  on 
shore. 

On  the  27*^  December,  Sir  Henry  Middleton  received  a 
letter  from  Peter  Floris,  a  Dutchman  in  the  service  of  the 
company  of  merchants  who  had  founded  a  factory  at 
^' Musulpatau",  informing  him  that  three  ships  were  then 
on  their  passage  out  from  England,  one  of  which  vessels 
was  bound  for  the  Red  Sea.  Three  days  later,  a  letter  was 
received  from  Captain  Hawkins,  who  expressed  an  intention 
of  proceeding  with  his  whole  household  to  Goa,  and  from 
thence  to  England.  j\P  Jourdain  and  M^  Train,  who  had 
been  dispatched  to  Surat  to  purchase  Indian  cloths,  wrote 
to  the  General  that  Muccrab  Chan  made  a  show  of  being 
willing  to  allow  a  factory  to  be  founded  at  that  town,  but 
this  proved  to  be  a  delusion. 

Captain  Sharpeigh  and  Mugh  Greet,  on  the  2'^  January, 
set  out  for  Surat,  from  whence,  accompanied  by  M^  Train, 
they  were  to  proceed  to  Cambay  with  letters  to  Cap- 
tain Hawkins.  At  Surat,  they  found  that  without  letters 
of  credit,  to  obtain  which  the  money  must  be  paid  down, 
they  could  take  no  funds  with  them  to  Cambaya,  and  to 
procure  such  cash  they  were  compelled  to  leave  Nicholas 
Uphlett,  and  Jawdow,  the  broker,  behind  as  security.  On 
the  2  G^'^,  accompanied  by  Captain  Hawkins,  they  returned  to 
the  fleet.     To  guard  against  any  attempt  of  tho  Portugals 

o2 


19G  THE    ROAD    or    SWALLY. 

to  capture  the  pavty^  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  witli  two  hund- 
red men,  met  them  some  three  miles  inhind. 

John  AVilliams,  who  had  been  sent  to  Surat  to  obtain 
permission  to  found  a  factory,  returned  from  the  town  with 
an  absolute  refusal  to  hold  any  further  trade,  and  those 
merchants  who  had  gone  up  thither  were  ordered  to  take 
their  departui*e,  no  time  even  being  allowed  them  to  get  in 
their  debts.  When  Sir  Henry  Middleton  was  appealed  to 
by  his  people,  whether  they  should  obey  this  order  at 
once,  or  not,  he  directed  them  to  comply  with  it  imme- 
diately. 

A  fleet  of  nearly  500  sail  of  Portugal  frigates  passed  the 
fleet  on  the  6^^  February,  bound  towards  Cambaia. 

On  the  9*  February,  Nicholas  Uphelet,  who  had  been 
left  at  Surat  as  security  for  money  borrowed,  having  re- 
turned thence,  the  fleet  weighed  anchor  and  crossed  tlie 
bar. 

During  the  time,  138  days,  that  the  vessels  lay  off"  Swall}', 
much  injury  was  suffered  from  delays;  breach  of  faith;  the 
prohibition  of  the  country  people  from  trading ;  the  little 
trade  done,  and  that,  too,  at  unprofitable  rates ;  the  refusal 
of  permission  to  found  a  factory;  the  non-payment  of  debts 
formerly  due ;  and  the  expulsion  of  the  mei'chants  from  the 
town,  and  of  the  ships  from  the  port.  This  expulsion  was 
due  to  a  lettei',  written  at  the  instigation  of  the  Jesuits, 
from  Dangee,  a  Banian,  at  Cambaia,  to  Muccrab  Chan, 
advising  him  to  give  no  place  to  the  English,  for  if  he  did 
so,  the  Portugals  would  come  with  force  to  burn  all  the  sea- 
towns,  and  to  seize  all  the  ships  found  at  sea. 

"  This  road  of  Swally,  within  the  barr,  lieth  in  20'^  55 
North  latitude,  the  variation  IC"^  40  Westerlye.  "VVe  found 
the  water  highed  more  on  the  full  moone  spring  then  one  the 
change  by  4  foot,  the  one  being  24  foot,  the  other  20 ;  the 
night  tides  higher  then  the  daye  tides  by  3  foot ;  the  nepe 
tides  by  night  IG  foot,  and  by  day  13  foot  high,  and  some- 


AT    DABUL.  197 

time  0  or  10  foot,  according  as  tlie  ^Yinds  Llow.  The  coast 
or  strauud  witliiu  the  bar  lieth  nearest  south  and  north  by 
the  conipas,  which  is  (the  variation  allowed)  N.  b.  E.  I  E. 
and  S.  b.  W.  ^  ^Y.,  also  W.S.AV.  h  S.  and  E.N.E.  h  N.,  moono 
makes  a  full  sea/^ 

On  the  11''^  the  fleet  set  sail,  bound  for  Dabul,  whither 
the  General  went  in  hopes  of  disposing  of  part  of  the  cargo 
(''or,  as  it  were,  shoot  another  arrow  after  divers  formerly 
lost"),  and  on  the  16^^  anchored  off  that  place.  Messengers 
from  the  shore  visited  the  ships,  and  promised  friendship 
and  trade  in  indigo,  cloth,  and  pepper,  w'hich  was  more 
than  could  be  expected,  or  than  they  had  ordei'S  to  grant, 
such  goods  being  required  for  cargo  for  their  own  ships 
bound  to  the  Red  Sea.  But  little  trade,  except  for  cloth 
and  lead  in  bars,  was  done,  for  the  country  people  were  for- 
bidden to  trade,  though  the  Governor,  with  the  usual  double 
dealing,  had  given  the  General  leave  to  vend  his  goods. 
Corn  and  provisions,  when  paid  for  in  cash,  were  supplied 
plentifully.  Whether  such  kindness  sprang  from  good  will 
towards  strangers,  or  from  having  heard  that  Sir  Henry 
Middleton  had  the  might  to  right  his  own  wrongs,  it  was 
hard  to  say. 

While  the  vessels  lay  at  anchor  off  Dabul  a  great  ship 
and  frigate  were  seen  in  the  offing.  Sir  Henry  Middleton 
despatched  the  Darling  and  also  the  Peppercorn,  aiid  his 
own  frigate,  with  oi"ders  to  bring  them  in  ;  the  frigate 
attempted  to  escape,  and  in  effecting  her  capture,  a  Portugal 
was  killed.  The  ship,  when  summoned  to  surrender,  did 
so ;  but  the  captain  and  chief  merchants  being  ordered  to 
present  themselves  on  board  the  Peppercorn,  sent  a  soldier 
to  make  excuse,  that  the  captain  was  aged  and  unwieldy, 
and  that  their  boat  was  so  cumbered  with  lading  that  she 
could  not  be  used.  Upon  receipt  of  this  reply.  Captain 
Downton  very  unwillingly  sent  his  own  boat  for  them,  first 
of  all  having  strictly  commanded  the  coxswain  to  allow  no 


198  PLUNDER  FROM  THE  TORTUGALS. 

man  to  board  the  ship,  his  intention  being  that  the  General 
should  be  the  first  to  do  so.  Captain  Downton  next  ordered 
the  vessel  to  stand  in  for  Dabul ;  but,  as  there  was  no 
chance,  in  consequence  of  the  ill  steering  of  the  prize,  of 
making  the  port,  and  fearing  that  she  might  escape  during 
the  night,  he  caused  the  ships  to  anchor,  and  then  retired 
into  his  cabin  to  examine  some  of  the  Portugals.  Pretend- 
ing to  doubt  that  the  ship  had  not  let  go  her  anchor,  the 
master  of  the  Peppercorn  sent  a  boat  aboard  her,  the  crew 
of  which  immediately  commenced  to  pillage.  On  their 
return  to  their  own  ship.  Captain  Downton,  in  the  presence 
of  the  Portugals,  had  them  searched,  and  the  stolen  goods 
sent  back  to  the  ship,  the  purser  being  directed  to  say,  that 
if  any  other  articles  were  missing,  to  report  the  fact,  and 
they  should  be  returned.  Terry,  a  servant  of  Giles  Thorn- 
ton, who  at  this  time,  in  consequence  of  the  death  of  three 
of  the  Admiral's  mates,  commanded  the  frigate,  had  mean- 
time, though  contraiy  to  orders,  boarded  the  ship,  and  com- 
menced to  break  open  boxes,  etc. ;  and  further,  used  ill 
language  to  the  Peppercorn's  men.  Informed  of  this.  Cap- 
tain Downton  sent  word  to  the  G  eneral,  who,  on  the  frigates 
entering  the  road,  gave  orders  that  no  man  should  be  allowed 
to  leave  them  until  search  had  been  made  for  all  stolen 
goods,  and  the  same  restored  to  the  Portugals. 

The  ship,  called  the  S*  Nicolas,  belonged  to  Cochin,  and 
was  bound  for  Chaoul.  She  was  some  300  tons  burthen. 
Her  cargo  principally  consisted  of  dried  cocoa-nuts,  black 
sugar,  rueka^  nuts,  ten  cases  of  China  dishes,  some  alum,  a 
quantity  of  China  roots,  and  some  "  Cayro"  or  bass  ropes. 
As  the  Portugals  would  not  produce  any  bills  of  lading', 
much  trouble  was  experienced  in  discovering  some  cloves, 
cinnamon,  wax,  and  bales  of  raw  China  silk,  which  were  re- 
moved to  the  General's  vessels,  and  which  were  but  a  mite 

'  Areca? 


DEPAKTURE  FROM  DABUL.  199 

in  comparison  to  the  loss  inflicted  on  tlio  venture  by  the 
Portugals. 

The  frigate,  of  some  GO  tons  burthen,  belonged  to  Chaoul, 
and  was  bound  for  Ormus  with  a  cargo  of  rice  and  tamarinds; 
some  of  the  rice  was  taken  from  her.  By  this  vessel,  Sir 
Henry  Middlcton  sent  away  those  Portugals  who  had  de- 
serted to  him  at  Swally,  as  well  as  those  taken  in  the  prizes, 
giving  them  their  money  and  wearing  apparel.  To  the  mer- 
chant who  had  owned  the  greater  part  of  the  silk  a  fine 
broadcloth  was  given,  and  to  the  captain  of  the  frigate  a 
fine  kersey. 

Having  finished  all  business  at  Dabul,  Sir  Henry  Middle- 
ton  summoned  a  council  to  consider  future  proceedings, 
his  wish  being  to  sail  for  Goa  and  there  to  demand  from 
the  Yicei'oy  compensation  for  the  losses  incurred  at  the 
hands  of  the  Portugals,  to  the  intent  that  if  this  request 
was  refused,  there  might  then  be  greater  justification  for 
reprisals  :  this  proposal,  though  approved  of  by  several,  was 
deemed  inexpedient,  regard  being  had  to  the  season  of  the 
year  and  various  necessary  delays,  and  finally  it  was  re- 
solved, the  wind  not  serving  to  double  Cape  Comorln,  to 
sail  for  the  Red  Sea,  there  to  dispose  of  goods  remaining  on 
hand,  to  recover  some  of  the  losses  already  suffered  from 
the  subjects  of  the  Great  Mogul,  to  ci-oss  the  Turks  at  Moha 
and  Aden  for  mischief  done  by  them,  and  to  render  assist- 
ance to  the  ships  sent  thither  by  the  Company  in  the  year 
following  the  sailing  of  the  sixth  expedition. 

On  the  6^^  March  the  fleet  sailed  from  Dabul,  accompany- 
ing the  Cochin  ship  towards  Chaoul,  as  a  protection 
against  the  Malabars,  and  having  run  on  to  within  five  or 
six  leagues  of  that  port,  the  course  was  then  altered  for 
Socotra,  which  island  was  sighted  on  the  2  P'^  of  the  month. 

"  From  the  Coast  of  India  to  Soccatra,  we  this  time  dailye 
found  our  ship  further  to  the  Southward  than  by  our  course 
we  could  expect,  and  especially  when  wee  were  thwart  of 


200  RETURN    TO    THE    RED    SEA. 

tlie  gulf  or  entrance  of  Sinus  Persicus,  whicli  I  imagine  to 
be  some  currant  setting  thence  to  the  southwards/^ 

On  the  28'^'^  March,  1G12,  the  vessels  anchored  about  a 
mile  and  a  half  fx'om  Mount  Felix.  From  the  country 
people  the  General  learned  that  four  Indian  ships  had  lately 
passed  towards  the  Red  Sea.  With  these  people  the  General 
left  letters  for  the  Darling,  which  had  been  dispatched  to 
Socotra;  and,  having  made  a  few  purchases  from  the  natives' 
who  supposed  they  were  dealing  with  Mahometans  and  not 
Christians  (or,  as  they  call  them,  Franges),  set  sail  for  Aden, 
oS"  which  port  the  vessels  arrived  on  the  l®*  April.  A 
council  was  then  assembled,  at  which  it  was  determined 
that  Captain  Downton,  in  the  Peppercorn,  should  blockade 
Aden,  and  turn  away  all  vessels  attempting  to  enter  that 
port,  for  which  purpose  Sir  Henry  Middleton  gave  him  a 
commission,  whilst  the  General,  in  the  Trade's  Increase, 
should  lie  in  the  Straits  of  Bab  el  Mandeb  to  intercept  the 
Company's  ship,  and  to  take  revenge  both  on  the  Turks  and 
subjects  of  the  Great  Mogul  for  all  injuries  suffered  by  the 
expedition. 

Previous  to  separating,  Thomas  Heri'od,  a  master's  mate, 
and  M''  Fowler,  were  transferred  from  the  Peppei'corn  to  the 
Trade's  Inci'ease  ;  while  Benjamen  Green,  factor  of  the  Dar- 
ling, went  on  board  the  Peppercorn.  The  Darling  also  was 
fallen  in  with,  having  a  letter  which  she  had  brought  from 
Socotra  for  Sir  Henry  Middleton  from  John  Saris,  com- 
mander of  the  Company's  ships  Clove,  Hector,  and  Thomas, 
acknowledging  the  receipt  of  the  General's  letter,  and  add- 
ing that  he  himself,  with  his  ships,  would  enter  the  Red 
Sea, 

Sir  Henry  Middleton,  having  read  this  letter,  with  the 
Trade's  Increase  and  Darling  sailed  for  the  Red  Sea,  the 
Peppercorn  remaining  off  Aden,  the  Governor  of  -which 
town  sent  off  an  old  Arab  fisherman  to  enquire  what  ship 
she  Avas,  and  why  she  lay  so  far  out.     To  these  cpiestions 


BLOCKADE    OF    ADE>r.  201 

Captain  Downton  replied  that  he  was  waiting  for  other 
vessels,  and  that  till  their  arrival  he  would  neither  meddle 
with  any  merchandise,  nor  approach  nigher  to  the  town, 
enquiring-,  in  addition,  would  ho  be  welcome  to  the  town, 
and  were  there  any  merchants  there  to  buy  his  goods.  The 
answer  to  which  quei'ies  was,  as  formerly,  with  ''*'  truthles 
flatteryes".  The  Arab  stated  that  three  English  vessels  had 
passed  towards  the  Red  Sea  twelve  days  since,  and  that  two 
others  (in  which  only  he  spake  truth)  had  done  so  within 
three  days.  On  the  following  day,  the  Governor  of  the  town 
sent  a  present  to  Captain  Downtou,  who,  not  deeming  it 
proper  to  receive  from,  or  give  presents  to,  the  Turks,  at 
whose  hands  so  much  loss  had  been  suffered,  pretended  that 
the  captain,  being  absent,  no  man  on  board  durst  receive 
presents,  but  offered  to  purchase  the  things,  which  offer  was 
accepted.  To  these  messengers  he  entrusted  a  letter  for 
Captain  Saris. 

On  the  11^^^  April,  the  Peppercorn  overhauled  a  ship  of 
Callicut,  forty  days  out  from  thence.  Her  cargo  consisted 
of  3  tons  of  turmei-ic,  2,300  quintals  of  rice,  40  baliars  of 
jagra  or  brown  sugar,  7  bahars  of  cardamoms,  4|  quintals 
of  dry  ginger,  a  ton  and  a  half  of  pepper,  and  3  L  pieces  of 
cotton,  each  piece  containing  5  or  6  maunds.  This  vessel, 
of  140  tons  burthen,  carried  75  persons,  of  whom  20  were 
to  bale  out  water  and  for  other  duties  below,  8  for  the  helm, 
4  for  the  top  and  yard,  and  20  boys  to  act  as  cooks ;  the 
remainder  were  passengers  and  pilgrims.  As  this  ship  be- 
longed to  a  friendly  nation.  Captain  Downton  allowed  her 
to  depart,  but  it  was  only  by  threatening  to  sink  her  if  any 
attempt  was  made  to  enter  Aden,  that  he  was  able  to  drive 
her  away  from  that  port.  Nothings  except  two  tons  of 
water,  freely  parted  with  by  the  ISIohuda,  was  taken  out  of 
her. 

To  any  vessels  that  appeared  in  the  offing,  warning  was 
sent  from  the  tow'n  to  beware  of  the  Peppercorn. 


202  BLOCKADE    OF    ADEN. 

While  the  Peppercorn  was  overhauling  the  Malabar, 
some  Turks  from  the  shore  had  boarded  her,  who,  when  they 
had  recognised  their  former  captives,  would  have  at  once 
departed,  hut  Captain  Downton  detained  them  till  he 
thought  they  were  sufficiently  punished  by  their  fears,  then, 
to  show  the  difference  between  Turks  and  Englishmen,  he 
let  them  go  free,  they  in  return  promising  to  send  provisions 
to  the  ship. 

Another  vessel  was  taken  on  the  14"^,  and  from  her  (as 
she  belonged  to  Pormean,  a  town  not  far  from  Cutsnagome, 
and  tributary  to  the  Great  Mogul)  were  removed  some 
dutties,  "  candekins  nill",  or  small  blue  pieces  of  calico, 
bastas,  a  little  butter,  and  some  lamp-oil ;  the  residue  of 
the  cargo  consisted  of  cotton-wool.  This  transfer  Captain 
Downton  had  executed  as  quickly  as  possible,  fearing  that 
if  another  sail  should  appear  in  sight,  he  would  have  to  let 
one  vessel  or  the  other  escape. 

On  the  same  day  Maharim  Agaw  of  Aden  sent  off  a 
present  to  Captain  Downton,  who,  by  the  messenger,  re- 
turned as  answer  that  he  had  been  forced  by  the  injuries  he 
had  suffered  the  A^ear  before  to  return  to  make  reprisals,  and 
that  it  was  his  intention  neither  to  deserve  nor  receive  any 
favour  from  the  Turks ;  that  he  remembered  the  treatment 
he  had  received  when  he  came  as  a  friend,  and  what  could 
he  expect  now  ?  and  that  he  and  his  people  would  purchase 
what  they  required. 

Between  the  15*^^  April  and  6*^  May  several  vessels  were 
seen  and  overhauled,  from  one  of  which  9h  lbs.  of  opium 
were  bought,  and  from  two  others  a  number  of  sheep. 

On  the  19'^'^  April  there  was  a  Communion  of  36  persons. 

As  the  winds  were  variable,  and  as  the  time  of  year  for 
the  Indian  ships  to  arrive  was  almost  passed,  also  there 
being  but  little  enough  of  the  easterly  winds  to  carry  the 
repi)ei'corn  into  the  Red  Sea,  Captain  Downton,  on  the 
Qib  May,  set  sail   from  before  Aden,  and  on  the  next  day 


CAPTURE    OF    PRIZES.  203 

captui'ed  a  small  ship  of  Larrce,  a  city  of  the  Mogul,  situate 
at  the  mouth  of  the  river  Zinde.  While  preparing  to  rum- 
mage the  prize,  two  ships  were  sighted,  one  of  200  tons, 
the  other  a  huge  sail,  whose  mainyard  was  43  yards  long: 
the  latter  vessel  was  at  once  chased,  in  hopes  that  she 
might  be  "  the  great  Eehemi,  which  belongs  to  the  queene 
mother,  who  had  beeue  wife  to  Zelibdin  Eccubur,^  the  last 
deceased  Emp'"  of  Indestian,  the  father  of  this  present  Great 
Mogull,  which  ship  usually,  as  the  I'cport  goes,  brings  not 
lesse  for  her  use,  passengers  and  pilgrames  to  Moha  or 
Jedda,  the  port  of  Mecha,  then  1500  persons,  which  ship 
was  the  principall  mark  we  aimed  at,  the  end  that  thereby 
the  Great  Mogull  may  sooner  understand  how  unpatient  the 
subjects  of  the  King  of  England  (whom  he,  in  his  pride,  so 
much  dispiseth,  as  Cap*  Hawkins  informeth  us)  are  both  of 
the  dishonor  done  to  there  king  and  wrongs  to  themselves:" 
but  upon  approaching  close  to  her,  she  was  recognized  to 
be  the  Mahomadie  of  Dabul.  Pursuit  was  then  made  after 
the  other  sail,  w^hich  had  "  strouk  a  hull"  in  hopes  of 
escaping  during  the  darkness  ;  she  was  speedily  overhauled, 
and  found  to  be  a  ship  of  Cutsnagone,  a  place  not  far  from 
the  river  Zinde,  and  that  her  cargo  consisted  of  cotton-wool, 
a  few  packs  of  Indian  cloth,  some  butter  aud  oil.  In  com- 
pany with  her,  the  Peppercorn  stood  in  towards  the  Arab 
coast  in  search  for  the  first  pi'ize ;  having  fallen  in  with 
which  vessel,  all  the  three  lay  at  anchor  off  the  coast  for 
two  days,  at  the  end  of  wdiich  time  Captain  Downton  having 
learned  that  Sir  Henry  Middleton  was  at  Assab,  set  sail  for 
that  place  and  arrived  there  on  the  15*'^  May.  He  was  in- 
formed by  Giles  Thornton  that  the  General  "had  at  com- 
mauud  all  the  desired  ships  of  India,  as  the  Reheftiy,  of 
burthen  1500  tuns;  Masany,  of  600  tuns;  Mahomady,  of 
150  tuns,  of  Surat;  the  Sallamitee,  of  450  tuns;  the  Cadree, 
of  200  tuns,  the  Assum  Cany  (the  Shawbender  of  Moha,  his 

'  Akbar. 


204  AGREEMENT    WITH    CAPTAIN    SARIS. 

ship)  200  timSj  all  of  Diu  ;  besides  3  Mallabar  ships ;  tlie 
Cadree^  of  DabuU  ;  and  a  great  ship  of  Cannanow'\  Giles 
Thornton  further  added,  before  the  Peppercorn  could  enter 
the  roadj  tbat  Sir  Henry  Middletou,  with  all  the  pride  of 
his  people,  and  Captain  Saris,  with  his  men,  had  gone 
ashore  to  receive  the  King  of  Raheta,  who  with  his  nobility 
and  guard  had  come  down  to  visit  the  Generals.  Further, 
Sir  Henry  Middleton  sent  word  (knowing  Captain  Down- 
ton's  "  niggardly  inclination  always  for  powder")  with  how 
many  guns  Captain  Saris  and  the  Trade's  Increase  should 
be  respectively  saluted. 

Captain  Downton  also  learned  that  Sir  Henry  Middleton 
was  as  much  harassed  by  the  pride,  turbulence,  and  cross 
dealings  of  Captain  Saris  (his  countryman  and  also  a  ser- 
vant of  the  India  Company),  as  formerly  by  the  treacheiy 
of  the  Tui'ks,  whose  cause  Captain  Saris  (as  an  attorney- 
general)  even  had  pleaded. 

Towards  evening.  Sir  Henry  Middleton  and  Captain 
Saris,  having  taken  leave  of  the  King  of  Raheta,  returned 
to  the  Traders  Increase  to  supper.  Then  Captain  Downton 
learned  that  a  compact  had  been  made  between  the  two 
commanders  to  the  effect  that  of  all  goods  procured  by 
trading,  Sir  Henry  Middleton  should  receive  two-thirds  for 
the  benefit  of  the  sixth  voyage,  and  Captain  Saris  one-third 
for  the  eighth  voyage.  No  dealings  with  the  Turks  were 
mentioned  in  this  agreement,  as  they  had  injured  the  sixth 
and  not  the  eighth  voyage.  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  too,  had 
from  the  fii^st  informed  CajDtain  Saris  that  he  had  returned 
there  to  obtain  satisfaction  by  force  from  the  Turks,  and 
that  he  expected  not  only  not  to  be  hindei'ed  but  even  aided; 
to  all  which  Captain  Saris  assented.  This  Sir  Henry  Mid- 
dleton deemed  sufficient. 

Captain  Downton  also  heard  that  Mammy,  captain  of  the 
gabies,  and  divers  others,  had  been  sent  by  the  Governor 
of  Moha  to  propose  a  peace,  and  to  learn  Sir  Henry  Middle- 


DISCUSSION    WITH    CAPTAIN    SARIS.  205 

ton's  demand  for  compensation,  which  was  a  hundred  thou- 
sand rials  of  eight.  Upon  hearing  the  sum  demanded,  the 
envoys  had  requested  time  to  scud  to  Scnan^  to  learn  Jeffer 
Bashaw's  pleasure  in  the  matter,  and,  having  promised  to 
let  the  General  know  the  result,  they  had  taken  their  leave 
of  him. 

Captain  Downton  further  understood  that  this  compact 
having  been  made.  Captain  Saris,  with  his  ship,  departed 
towards  Moha,  his  business  being  unknown  to  Sir  Henry 
Middleton,  while  the  latter  remained  to  intercept  the  Indian 
ships.  Also  that  the  former,  when  despatching  the  Thomas 
to  the  Abexin  coast  in  quest  of  fresh  provisions,  directed 
Captain  Towerson  to  follow  his  commission,  as  he  would 
have  to  answer  it,  which  speech  seemed  obscure  to  Sir 
Henry  Middleton,  who  imagined  that  Captain  Towerson 
had  been  left  with  him  to  render  assistance  in  the  common 
business. 

By  the  time  that  Captain  Downton  had  leai^ned  so  much, 
making  more  use  of  his  ears  than  his  teeth,  supper,  in  a 
quiet  calm,  grew  to  an  end;  but  soon  after  began  some  gusts 
of  contention,  as  Captain  Saris  would  in  no  wise  allow  that 
Sir  Henry  Middleton  might  with  reason  demand  satisfac- 
tion from  the  Turks,  seeming  to  know  that  none  would  be 
ever  recovered,  while  he  was  in  ftivour  of  exacting  such 
from  the  ludian  ships,  in  which  case  he  would  receive  one- 
third  part.  On  the  other  hand.  Sir  Henry  Middleton  would 
have  what  he  demanded  from  the  Turks,  or  none  at  all, 
saying,  that  for  the  others  it  would  be  punishment  enough 
for  them  to  deprive  them  of  their  usual  profits  by  taking 
their  goods  and  giving  them  instead  English  commodities, 
which  they  value  not,  at  the  rates  such  articles  were  worth 
in  India.  This  plan  did  not  please  Captain  Saris,  who  then 
urged  the  General  to  take  certain  goods  in  such  manner 
that  he  would  have  been  merely  acting  as  a  broker;  then 

'  Sana'  &,. 


206  DEMAND    FOR    COMPENSATION 

the  former  would  have  taken  goods  from  the  Indian  ships, 
whether  friend  or  foe.  Then  another  dispute  arose,  Sir 
Henry  Middleton  having  termed  the  Indian  vessels  "ships^^, 
while  Captain  Saris  insisted  on  calling  them  "junks",  for  so 
the  ships  of  China  were  styled  at  Bantam,  With  many  such 
frivolous  contentions,  the  night  passed  until  high  time 
urged  every  one  to  depart  to  his  lodging  or  charge. 

"This  night's  cavell  for  brevetie's  sake  might  serve  as  a 
glasse  to  shew  how  by  fBtts  for  a  long  while  we  spent  in 
wranglinge  and  discontent,  which  was  made  soe  apparant 
to  all  that  we  had  to  doe  withall,  to  y®  shame  of  our  nation 
and  to  the  spoile  of  o*"  busines  with  the  Turks." 

On  the  following  day,  Sir  Henry  Middleton  sent  word  to 
Captain  Saris,  asking  him  to  drop  such  idle  cavilling  for 
the  sake  of  the  Company's  business  ;  the  latter  agreed  to 
this  proposal,  and  also  that  the  sum  to  be  demanded  as 
compensation  should  be  computed  by  some  of  the  principal 
men  of  the  sixth  and  eighth  voyages. 

The  Darling  was  despatched  on  her  voyage  to  Tecoa  on 
the  19'''^  May,  by  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  and  was  followed  by 
the  Thomas  a  few  days  later. 

On  the  30'''^  May,  the  Shabender  of  Moha,  Mammy,  cap- 
tain of  the  galleys,  and  an  Agaw,  all  deputed  by  the  Bashaw, 
waited  on  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  who  again  demanded 
100,000  rials  of  eight.  When  the  envoys  found  that  this 
demand  wound  not  be  reduced,  they  asked  permission  to 
hold  a  conference  with  the  Nohudas  and  other  principal 
merchants  of  the  Indian  ships  to  see  what  increased  customs 
the  latter  would  be  willing  to  pay  in  aid  of  the  compensa- 
tion. Several  of  the  Nohudas,  mindful  of  former  injuries, 
did  not  attend  the  conference,  while  others  declai*ed  against 
any  increase  of  the  custom  dues. 

As  the  Turks  showed  no  sign  of  paying  the  compensation. 
Sir  Henry  Middleton  and  Captain  Saris,  on  the  26*-^  July, 
held  a  meeting  on  board  the  Mahomidy  of  Dabul,  at  which 


FROM    THE    TURKS.  207 

the  former  Laving  recapitulated  to  the  Nohudas  the  losses 
and  injuries  he  had  safFered,  informed  them  that,  as  the 
Turks  still  held  back,  he  felt  compelled  (though  he  had 
been  compensated  for  the  loss  iutlicted  on  him  in  India)  to 
carry  their  ships  with  him  out  of  the  Red  Sea,  and  thus  to 
deprive  the  Turks  of  the  benefit  of  trade.  Upon  hearing 
this,  the  Indians  sooner  than  lose  the  entire  profits  of 
the  voyage  otfered  to  make  a  composition,  paying  for 
each  ship  in  proportion  to  her  value.  As  Sir  Henry 
Middleton  had  no  means  of  forcing  payment  from  the 
Turks,  and  reserving  the  satisfaction  due  from  them  for  a 
future  occasion,  he  accepted  this  offer,  and  agreed  to  take  a 
composition  of  15,000  rials  of  eight  for  the  Rehemy,  which 
vessel  was  nearly  equal  in  value  to  the  other  four  ships. 
Captain  Saris  too  agreed  to  this  proposal,  although  he  after- 
wards tried  to  exact  a  much  larger  sum. 

On  the  following  day,  at  a  meeting  held  on  board  the 
Clove,  Sir  Henry  Middleton  being  wearied  by  much  idle 
cavilling,  referred  the  whole  matter  to  Captain  Downton. 
Thereupon,  Captain  Saris,  not  thinking  it  consistent  with 
his  greatness  to  treat  with  any  but  the  General,  deputed 
Captain  Towerson  and  jM  Cocks,  his  Cape  merchant,  to 
act  for  him.  These  latter  made  an  estimate  of  the  sum  to 
be  demanded  from  each  vessel,  from  which  they  would 
make  no  abatement  though  Captain  Downton  considered 
the  amount  excessive,  more  than  the  Indians  could  pay,  and 
too  great  when  compared  with  the  composition  paid  by  the 
Heheray  :  finally,  a  much  smaller  sum  was  accepted. 

August  2^^.  The  weather  was  stormy,  with  heavy  sea, 
which  greatly  strained  the  weak  ground  tackle  of  Sir  Henry 
Middleton^s  ships,  who  had  in  vain  (even  offering  payment 
for  the  same)  applied  to  Captain  Saris  for  fresh  tackle,  of 
which  the  latter  had  more  than  was  requisite  for  his 
vessels. 

On  the   G'^  August   Captain    Towerson^   in    the  Hector, 


208  ARRIVAL    AT    TEKOAj    IN    SUMATRA. 

sailed  from  tlie  Eecl  Sea,  and  was  followed  in  a  few  days  by 
Captain  Saris,  neither  of  tliera  paying-  the  usual  courtesies 
to  Sir  Henry  Middleton. 

Having  received  the  composition  from  the  Indian  ships, 
the  General  set  sail  on  the  16*^^  August  for  Tecoa. 

"  Some  snakes  swiming  on  the  top  of  the  water,  which 
in  boisterous  weather  seldome  appeare,  yet  an  apparant 
signe  of  being  neare  to  the  coast  of  India",  were  seen  on 
the  12*^  September,  and  two  days  later  land  was  sighted, 
upon  approaching  which  the  water  was  found  to  be  muddy 
and  thick,  with  some  sudden  spots  of  cleai\ 

Cape  Comorin  was  passed  on  the  22*^  of  the  month,  and 
Cape  de  Galle  was  in  sight  on  the  25'^.  On  the  11'^'^  of 
October,  the  ships  were  for  some  hours  becalmed  in  a 
"  tumbling  sea  like  to  raise  the  ship  spooning  in  before  the 
sea".  On  that  day  land  was  seen,  which  was  supposed  to 
be  a  small  island  off  the  coast  of  Sumatra,  which  island  Sir 
Henry  Middleton  attempted  to  double  by  the  northern 
passage,  but  the  wind  failing  he  had  to  take  the  southern 
one,  through  which  the  vessels  were  carried  by  the  current, 
and  passing  on  the  17'^  October  by  Sumatra,  the  highest 
mountain  of  which  bore  N.N.E.  18  leagues  distant,  and 
another  not  so  steep  N.E.,  about  the  same  distance,  arrived 
on  the  19*'^  October  in  the  Road  of  Tecoa,  where  the  Dar- 
ling was  found  lying-  at  anchor,  having  been  there  since 
July. 

On  this  passage  it  was  found  that  much  of  the  wheat  in 
the  bread-room  of  the  Peppercorn  and  some  jDacks  of  coarse 
dutties  had  been  injured  by  wet. 

The  captain  of  the  Dai-ling  reported  that  three  of  his 
merchants,  vizt.,  John  Fowler,  Francis  Glanfield,  and  Wil- 
liam Speed,  had  died  and  been  buried  at  Tecoa,  that  most 
of  his  men  were  ill,  that  he  had  obtained  but  little  pepper, 
that  only  a  little  could  be  procured  before  the  next  season 
(April  and  May),  and  that  trade  was  much  hindered  by  the 
civil  wars. 


ON    THE    COAST    OP    SUMATRA.  209 

The  Thomas,  toOj  was  at  Tccoa/  having  gone  there  from 
Priaman,  where  her  success  had  been  as  poor  as  that  of  the 
Darling.  Her  captain  had  hoped  to  have  obtained  the  Dar- 
bng's  pepper^  as  that  vessel  was  leaky  j  but  in  that  lie  was 
disappointed. 

Sir  Henry  Middleton  also  heard  of  the  safe  arrival  homo 
of  Captain  David  Middleton  and  his  fleet  y'  that  of  the  four 
ships  of  the  ninth  voyage,^  two  were  ah^eady  at  Bantam  ; 
that  Captain  Cassleton  had  been  lately  at  Tecoa,  and  had 
spoken  of  the  arrival  out  of  15  sail  of  Hollanders,  laden  with 
munitions ;  and  also  of  two  ships  from  Newhaven  in  Franco, 
which  news  cast  a  gloom  upon  the  chances  of  this  "  tired, 
crostj  and  decayed  voyage'^ 

Seeing  but  poor  prospect  of  gain,  Sir  Henry  Middleton 
took  leave  of  the  Governor  and  principal  men  of  Tecoa,  'Ho 
whom  he  gave  div^ers  presents,  to  provoke  their  more 
kindnes  to  such  as  he  should  leave  thei'e  behind,  w°^  thoy 
received,  yet  between  there  uncivil  blockishness  and  pride 
together,  they  scarce  gave  him  thanks";  and  on  the  22*^  Oc- 
tober sailed  in  the  Peppercorn,  having  exchanged  ships 
with  Captain  Downton,  for  Bantam. 

Captain  Downton's  instructions  were  to  purchase  all 
pepper  in  the  island,  on  the  main,  or  at  Passaman,  and  to 
get  the  Trade's  Increase's  leakage  caulked.  This  leak  was 
at  first  supposed  to  be  forward ;  not  being  found  there, 
further  search  for  it,  as  requiring  much  time  and  labour, 
was  given  over ;  and  then  another  fresh  attempt  was  made 
to  discover  its  whereabouts,  when  divers  suspicious  places 
which  the  worms  had  '^ ruinated"  were  secured;  but  through 
want    of  planks,  nails,  and    other   iron  work,   as   well    as 

>  Tiku.     See  note  at  page  84. 

"  David  Middleton  commanded  the  eighth  voyage,  which  left  England 
in  1609. 

3  The  ninth  voyage,  commanded  by  Edmund  ^Marlowe,  left  England 
in  IGll. 


210  TRADING  FOR  PEPPER. 

tlii'ougli  being  unable  to  get  the  ship  liigli  enougli  to  get  at 
tlie  main  leakage,  tliis  latter  effort  was  not  much  more  suc- 
cessful than  the  former. 

When  the  ship  was  being  rummaged,  it  was  found  that 
the  packs  of  Indian  cloths  in  the  hold,  and  also  those  re- 
ceived from  the  Darling  were  much  injured  by  wet.  This 
was  due  to  the  foul  weather  experienced  on  the  passage  to 
Tecoa. 

By  the  first  of  November  Captain  Downton  had  bought 
and  shipped  80  tons  of  pepper.  Trade  then  received  a 
check  through  Raia  Bonesoo,  together  with  all  the  men 
of  note  in  Tecoa,  departing  to  the  wars  :  for  during  their 
absence  no  pepper  could  be  purchased,  as,  though  the 
owners  were  anxious  to  sell,  they  were  restrained  by  the 
king's  officers  and  chief  men  of  the  town,  who  hoped  to  re- 
ceive bribes,  and  who  also  demanded  a  present  for  the  King 
of  Achin,  as  well  as  heavy  anchoi^age  dues.  As  Captain 
Downton  did  not  consider  the  pepper  worth  such  an  in- 
creased price,  he  stood  out  in  hopes  of  more  reasonable 
terms. 

On  the  11'^',  M""  Pemberton,  in  the  Dai^ling,  returned  to 
Passaman/  to  which  island  he  had  been  despatched  at  the 
beginning  of  the  month ;  he  had  there  obtained  28  bahars 
of  pepper,  but  no  further  trade  (as  the  pretence  is  in  all 
those  places)  could  be  carried  on  without  a  permit  from  the 
King  of  Achin,  which  permit  could  only  be  obtained  at  a 
heavy  cost  in  presents  and  otherwise. 

John  Jourdain  was  sent  to  Tecoa  to  clear  off  some  small 
accounts  {"  to  declare  our  honest  care  to  doe  right  to  all 
men"),  and  to  convey  presents  to  the  Pungalina  and  Eaia 
Bonesoo,  and  with  a  message  of  thanks  for  their  kindness  ; 
also  to  speak  to  them  of  the  departure  of  the  vessels  in 
hopes  thereby  to  hasten  the  sale  of  pepper,  but  the  natives 
would  not  believe  this  statement ;  wherefore  "  truth  which 
'  Exactly  on  the  Equator. 


THE    STIIP    ON    A    BOCK.  211 

is  oldest  is  ever  surost'^^  for  that  by  wliich  others  deceived 
them  would  not  serve  again. 

Captain  Downton  was  much  perplexed  how  to  act,  being 
unwilling  to  leave  the  small  quantity  of  popper,  yet  knowing 
that  if  he  gave  way  such  a  proceeding  would  be  a  source  of 
harm  to  future  traders  ;  further,  it  was  impossible  to  be 
certain  of  any  bargain,  for  the  natives  were  wont  to  play 
fast  and  loose  at  pleasure. 

When  the  tents  and  goods  had  been  transferred  to  the 
ships  and  other  preparations  completed,  the  country  people, 
being  convinced  that  Captain  Downton  really  intended  to 
sail,  urged  their  Governor  to  request  a  short  delay,  which 
was  granted.  On  the  IG*'^^  and  17*^'',  3S  and  72  bahars  of 
pepper  were  shipped,  which  the  Achiu  men  now  sold  for 
20  rials  the  bahar,  whereas  formerly  they  would  never  name 
a  reasonable  price;  on  the  IS*-*^  there  was  too  much  wind, 
and  too  rough  a  sea  to  do  any  work ;  the  19'''^  and  20*''^  were 
spent  io  shipping  the  remainder  of  the  pepper,  which,  when 
examined,  showed  the  fraud  of  the  natives ;  in  some  sacks 
were  small  bags  of  paddy,  in  some  rice,  in  others  great 
stones,  and  even  rotten  and  wet  pepper  had  been  put  into 
dry  bags,  but  against  this  trickery  there  was  no  redi-ess. 

"  We  having  gotten  all  things  in,  and  our  men  abord,  we 
fitted  our  things  to  haisten  away,  and  neare  midnight  in 
the  mooneshine,  the  wind  at  N.E.  of  the  shore,  we  sett  saile; 
we  wrought  not  only  to  avoid  the  2  knowne  rockes  3  leagues 
from  the  Hand  of  Tecoa,  the  one  S.  b.  W.,  the  other  S.  b.  E., 
having  26  fathom  betweene  them  ozee  ground,  but  for  our 
better  securitye  we  directed  our  course  so  neere  as  we  could 
the  same  way  we  came  in ;  j'et  as  we  stood  of,  the  wind 
somewhat  shrunk  of  us,  yet  we  lay  first  west  then  W.  b.  S., 
and  W.S.W.,  and  last  of  all  S.W.  b.  W.,  and  the  currant 
sett  us  somewhat  southwards,  our  depthes  proportionable 
from  17  to  27  fathom,  all  ozie  ground,  the  next  cast  4 
fathom,  and  the  ship  fast  on  a  rock  asterne^  4  fathom  on  the 

p  2 


212  CONDITION    OF    THE    SHIP. 

starbardj  amid  ship  a  quarter  lesse  then  3  fathom,  and  under 
the  head  3  fethom  a  ship's  length,  5  fathom  a  ship's  length 
on  the  larboord  bow,  6  foot  in  the  larboard,  midships  16 
foot,  under  the  larboard  gallery  20  foot,  and  round  about 
•w*^in  a  cable's  length  deep  water.  She  remained  on  the 
rock  till  a  little  after  3,  untill  5  o'clock,  the  mercifull  Lord 
so  provided  y*  the  wind  grew  calme,  and  the  sea  smooth, 
and  in  our  feeling  the  sett  or  motion  of  our  shipp  (the  place 
considered)  was  verye  easye,  yett  the  water  did  so  encrease 
y*  both  our  chaine  pumps  w*^  painfull  labour  could  not  in 
long  time  free  the  same,  but  our  genn^  endevor  w*^  most  ex- 
pedition possibly  was  to  gett  out  a  streame  anchor,  w'^^  was 
lett  fall  in  26  fathom  right  asterne,  and  2  thirds  of  a  cable 
right  out,  to  heave  her  of  right  asterne,  wherein  the  gratious 
Lord  so  blest  our  endeavours,  y*  before  we  could  w*^^  the 
capstaine  heave  the  cable  taught,  the  ship  as  of  her  owne 
accord  sett  unto  deep  water,  w°^  no  sooner  done,  but  we  had 
a  westerly  gust  w''^  put  us  of  some  mile  from  the  said  rock, 
where  we  anchored  for  our  boat,  w''^  brought  our  cadger 
after  us,  and  it  being  cleare  day  we  could  not  discerns 
where  the  rock  stood ;  also  a  principall  reason  we  anchored 
was  our  exceeding  distresse  and  haist  for  Bantam,  y'  un- 
less necessity  enforce,  I  wisht  not  to  put  back  and  wast 
more  time,  hoping  our  leake  would  easily  be  over 
come." 

"  At  anchor,  I  past  the  day  till  2  a  clock,  consulting  and 
advising  w*'^  such  as  w*'^  their  best  counsell  are  pointed  to 
assist  me  what  best  to  be  done  our  present  estate  con- 
sidered, w''^  we  find  divers  wayes  to  rest  daingerous,  first 
in  regard  of  the  leaknes  of  the  shipp,  w^'^  continually  im- 
ployes  many  people  at  once  to  keep  downe  the  water ; 
secondly,  in  manner  no  provision  of  iron  work  for  the 
chaiues,  but  what  the  pumps  presently  imploy,  w''^  often 
break,  or  for  weaknes  slip,  to  our  great  discomfort,  for 
if  they  should  be  any  long  time  in  mending,  and  the  water 


CAPTAIN    DOWNTON's    DIFFICULTIES.  213 

SO  encrcasc  y''  we  cannot  reatcli  under  the  pumps  to  rove 
tlie  cliaiues^  our  work  will  soone  draw  neare  an  end  ;  thirdly, 
the  desperate  carelesenes  of  many  of  our  people  in  greatest 
need^  considered  there  faint  weaknes  and  disabillitye  to 
hold  out  labour  (by  coarse  diet,  as  they  pretend) ;  fiburthly, 
the  remembrance  of  what  is  certaine  in  the  ship  w^''  requires 
care  to  preserve  it ;  ffifthly,  Capt.  Sharpeigh,  his  misfor- 
tunes, and  the  lewde  demeanor  of  his  people  in  like  case  of 
greatest  need,  too  late  to  be  forgotten:  the  daingers  in  pro- 
ceeding diversly  cast  up  (uotw^'^standing  at  the  first  divers 
of  our  men  did  urge  the  same  by  couusell  reasonable),  for 
the  safeguard  of  all  I  made  choice  to  retourne  w'^n  the 
Hand  of  Tecoa,  there  by  God's  help  to  endeavor  the 
stopping  of  such  a  part  of  our  leake,  as  we  found  to  be  in 
the  fashioning  peeces  in  the  sterne.'" 

'^At  sunsett  we  anchored  in  the  place  w*^^  for  our  turne 
we  desired,  yet  notw'^'^standing  the  exceeding  cause  I  have 
to  rejoyce  for  God's  most  mercifull  help  and  present  deliver- 
ance, yet  feeble  faint  wretch  y*^  I  am,  cannot  remove  y®  re- 
mediles  sorrow,  for  this  further  addition  of  the  dammages 
of  this  our  tx'oublesome  journey,  w*^  deep  feeling  of  Sir  H. 
Middleton's  greefe  in  long  wearisome  looking  for  us,  deem- 
ing everye  howre  a  weeke  y*  he  is  hindred  in  the  proceeding 
of  his  journey/' 

"  This  day  (21  November),  long  time,  we  kept  both  our 
chaine  pumps  going  to  free  the  water,  w^^ever  encreast 
when  the  chaines  brake,  w"^^  happened  often,  the  2  pumps 
imploy  at  once  12  men,  w'''^  labour  indeed  is  so  extreame 
y'  it  can  but  little  while  w^^out  shifting  of  spels  be  con- 
tinued, but  the  water  once  brought  lowe  and  the  chaines 
holding,  one  pump  at  once  hath  ever  discharged  it,  and 
yett  it  tries  all  our  people  by  ofFten  shifting :  in  w*^^  busines 
I  found  it  required  more  then  ordinarye  meanes  to  appease 
there  discontented  clamors  and  murmeriuges  :  if  the  place 
would  have  afforded  it.  I  would  have  hired  100  men  to  have 


214  STOPPING    A    LEAK. 

eased  tliem^  but  lieare  is  none  of  this  country  people  y*-  wilbo 
hired  for  any  money." 

"  And  as  the  place  neither  afforded  hens  nor  other  flesh 
enough  to  sustaine,  or  inable  them  to  hold  out  there  great 
labour,  \y^^  I  earnestly  coveted,  wherefor  it  being  thought 
fitt  by  advise  of  others,  I  also  gave  to  everye  5  men  1 J  rials 
of  8  for  there  extraordinary  expence  for  a  week  in  fruits,  or 
whatels  like  them." 

From  the  22'^  to  the  28^*^  the  crew  were  employed,  one 
half  at  the  pumps,  the  other  in  landing  the  goods,  much  of 
which  had  to  be  opened  out  and  dried,  and  in  I'emoving  the 
cai'go  from  aft  to  forward,  as  the  leakage  was  somewhere 
aft.  While  this  work  was  being  carried  on.  Captain  Down- 
ton  sent  John  Jourdain  and  M^'  Pemberton  to  the  main  to 
purclmse  provisions  and  a  praw  by  which  he  might  send  in- 
telligence of  his  mishap  to  Sir  Henry  Middleton;  "but  these 
people  stand  uppon  all  advantages,  looking  unto  men's  need 
w^'^out  courtesy  or  humaine  feeling,  they  will  sell  and 
restraine  (as  it  were),  play  fast  and  loose,  as  there  jelious 
humor  leeds  them,  for  if  they  sett  a  man  a  price  of  any 
thing,  and  so  it  is  agreed  for,  yet  if  they  perceive  he  hath 
great  need  thereof,  ether  he  shall  not  have  it,  or  els  by  one 
trick  or  other  they  will  make  him  pay  more  then  was  bar- 
gained for  it,  they  will  put  a  man  to  make  divers  journeys 
for  what  themselves  desire  and  urge  to  sell". 

As  the  price  demanded  for  the  "  praw"  was  excessive, 
on  again  sending  for  provisions,  Captain  Downton  directed 
that  no  mention  should  be  made  of  her,  which  resulted  in 
the  owner  offering  to  dispose  of  her  for  a  reasonable  sum. 

The  ""last  of  the  pepper  was  removed  from  its  room  on 
the  29*^^,  "  under  w^'^  rowrae  we  find  a  great  leake  passing 
under  w^^  more  aft,  right  under  thend  of  the  keelswaine, 
■\vch  y^Q  were  forst  to  cut  of  in  tliend  of  it  to  come  downe  to 
the  leakes  betweene  the  hookes  in  the  run  being  an  open 
seame  G  inches  long,  and  10  inches  above  the  keele  on  the 


FROM    SUMATRA    TO    JAVA.  215 

larbaord  side,  w^''  by  divciiig  and  revein<^  of  a  dooblo  lino 
to  w^"^  occum  was  fastiiied,  w'='^  they  hailed  in  taught  on  the 
inside  w'^^  stopt  the  force  of  the  water^  so  y*  they  might 
worke  \v"'iu  boord  to  way  a  plank  w**^  tar  and  heire^  a  plate 
of  leade  and  a  peece  of  plank  againe  uppon^  whereby 
(blessed  be  our  mercifull  God)  at  present  to  our  great  joy 
we  had  no  more  such  use  of  the  pumps/^ 

The  surgeon  of  the  Darling,  and  John  Staughton,  one  of 
her  factors,  died  that  day,  and  there  were  many  men  down 
with  an  illness  which  beo-an  with  ague-fits. 

The  principal  leak  having  been  stopped,  the  ship  was 
trimmed  to  get  at  some  smaller  ones  in  the  fashion-piece  of 
the  stern,  and  then  the  cargo,  which  had  been  landed,  was 
re-shipped,  as  well  as  some  freshly  purchased  pepper. 

On  the  8*^  December  the  Traders  Inci-ease  again  set  sail, 
and  with  her  boats  out  ahead  taking  soundings,  worked  out 
to  sea.  Her  progress  was  much  retarded  by  currents  and 
light  winds  until  on  the  evening  of  the  tenth  "  it  pleased 
God  in  his  mercy"  to  cause  the  wind  to  "harden  at  S.W." 
On  the  IQ*^,  the  weather  in  the  morning  was  thick  with  rain, 
and  at  night-fall,  there  being  a  thick  sky  overhead  and  a 
huge  gale  astern.  Captain  Downton  deemed  it  prudent  to 
heave  to  for  nine  hours,  during  which  time  the  ship  drifted 
five  leagues.  Through  the  clouds  a  high  hill  was  seen  bear- 
ing E.  b.  S.,  which  some  of  the  crew  took  to  be  one  of  the 
salt-hills,  but  it  was  a  great  deal  short  of  the  south  end  of 
Sumatra,  or  else  an  island  thereto  adjoining.  About  the 
position  of  the  salt-hills  there  was  a  great  difference  of 
opinion  among  the  pilots  of  former  experience,  some  held 
they  were  the  mountains  at  the  southern  end  of  Sumatra, 
which  then  bore  N.N.E.,  while  others  maintained,  and 
rightly  too,  that  they  were  eight  or  nine  leagues  more  to 
the  eastwards. 

Relying  on  Thomas  Herrod^s  knowledge  of  the  ship's 
position,  on  the  20'^'^  Captain  Downton  ran  in  towards  the 


21(5  THE    DUTCH    FLEET    AT    BANTAM. 

land^  and  at  night  anchored  in  ten  fathoms,  thinking  he 
was  entering  the  road  of  Bantam,  but  at  daybreak  the  ves- 
sel was  found  to  be  embayed  some  fourteen  leagues  south 
of  the  point  of  Java.  Taking  advantage  of  a  gust  of  wind 
from  the  south,  he  weighed,  and  at  night  anchored  off  the 
Point  a  league  and  a  half  from  Pullopenjaun^  and  four  leagues 
from  Bantam. 

Three  great  Holland  ships  were  at  anchor  at  the  Point, 
and  a  fourth  was  at  Bantam,  all  waiting  for  a  fair  wind  for 
their  homeward  voyage.  The  commander  of  this  fleet 
saluted  Captain  Downton  with  three  guns,  who,  remember- 
ing the  "  strictnes  of  the  Comp^  commission  for  spairing  of 
powder^^,  answered  with  one. 

Captain  Downton  learned  from  the  Plollanders  that  Sir 
Henry  Middleton  was  at  Bantam ;  that  the  Solomon, 
Thomas,  and  Hector  were  homewards  bound  and  nearly 
to  sail ;  and  that  the  Peppercorn  was  being  careened. 

Next  morning,  Captain  Downton  being  desirous  of  re- 
quiting the  Dutch  captain^s  courtesy,  as  also  to  excuse  the 
salute  of  three  guns  which  ought  to  have  been  fired  on  de- 
parting, sent  him  a  present  of  a  fine  white  Basta,  and  then 
set  sail  for  Bantam.  On  the  passage,  the  Peppercorn's 
pinnace  was  fallen  in  with;  in  her  were  the  purser  and  John 
Davis,  master  of  the  James,  who  informed  Captain  Downton 
that  Sir  Henry  Middleton  was  at  Bantam,  and  that  it  was 
his  wish  that  the  Trade's  Increase  should  edge  up  for  Pul- 
lopenjauu,  where  the  Peppercorn  then  lay.  Shortly  after- 
Avards  the  General,  Avith  Captain  Marlow  and  M''  Pettyman 
crossed  over  from  Bantam  to  visit  the  ship.  Captain  Down- 
ton  having  related  his  misfortunes.  Sir  Henry  Middleton 
first  spoke  of  the  grief  he  had  endured  at  the  other's  long 
absence,  and  then  mentioned  the  kindness  and  assistance 
he  had  met  with  at  the  hands  of  his  companions,  w""^'  report 
gave  me  (Captain  Downton)  no  small  cause  of  rejoycing, 
'  I'lilu  L'aiij;uig,  a  huge  isluud  iu  tJie  west  part  of  Bautam  Bay. 


ARRANQEMKNTS    FOR    TRADING    AT    BANTAM.  217 

y*-  once  in  our  long  journey  wo  had  mett  w*''^  our  honest  and 
kind  countrymen,  whose  fealing  was  such  as  did  ad  comfort 
and  not  griefe  to  our  distresse,  w*'^  till  now  we  could  never 
meet  anye,  but  y*-  shewed  us  no  lesse  mallice  then  the 
Turks."  Captain  Downton  also  heard  of  the  deaths  of 
Thomas  Glenham  and  several  others,  and  of  the  illness  of 
Hugh  Fraine;  and  further,  that  two  Holland  ships,  in  addi- 
tion to  those  already  mentioned,  bound  eastwards,  were  iu 
Bantam  Road. 

While  at  Pullopenjaun  the  carpenters  of  the  Trade's  In- 
crease, with  those  of  the  Solomon  and  James,  as  well  as 
divers  Chinese  hired  from  Bantam,  were  employed  iu  over- 
hauling the  Peppercorn ;  of  all  of  whom  "  to  my  content, 
not  willing  to  detract  from  auye  of  the  rest,  w^^  I  better 
know,  and  love  according  to  everye  man's  meritt,  but  for 
true  labour,  few  needles  words,  and  honest  behaviour  was 
one  Day,  the  carpenter  of  the  James,  the  rest  for  the  most 
part  clamorous  fellows,  not  satisfied  w*^  treble  the  allowance 
of  the  other  men". 

On  the  23'^  December  the  surgeon  of  the  Trade's  Increase 
was  sent  for  to  bleed  Hugh  Fraine,  whose  fever  had  in- 
creased; and  later  on  that  day  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  having 
concluded  his  business  at  Bantam,  returned  to  Pullopenjaun, 
when  he  and  Captain  Downton  conferred  about  erecting  a 
building  there  for  the  protection  of  such  part  of  the  Trade's 
Increase's  lading,  as  was  not  destined  for  the  Bantam  mar- 
ket. Some  trouble  was  experienced  in  finding  a  place  sufii- 
ciently  clear  of  rocks  for  the  boats  to  land,  for  the  ground 
there  was  all  sunken  with  bushes  and  trees  growing  in  the 
water  and  only  a  small  bank  of  coral  dry  above  high 
water. 

Though  having  much  need  of  his  small  pinnace  for  his 
own  use,  the  General  lent  her  to  Captain  Saris,  who  de- 
spatched her  to  Marigobrough,  a  watering  place  at  the 
southern  end  of  Sumatra,  to  detain  the  Hector  to  the  end 


218  WAREHOUSES    BUILT    AT    BANTAM. 

that  that  vessel  and  the  Thomas  might  sail  on  their  home- 
ward voyage  in  company. 

Sir  Henry  Middleton  and  Captain  Downton  held  many 
conferences  about  business  matters,  but  their  plans  were 
always  opposed. 

On  Christmas  Day,  Captain  Marlow^  and  his  merchants, 
Mr  Petty,  Captain  Hawkins,  and  Augustine  Speelden,  dined 
with  Captain  Downton  and  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  and 
having  spent  the  day  in  friendship,  at  night  departed. 

On  the  day  after  Christmas  Day  Hugh  Traine  sent  for 
the  General  to  visit  him,  if  ever  he  desired  to  see  him  alive, 
"  w'^'^  was  no  small  grief  in  reguard  of  the  business  we  had 
to  doe  and  the  little  help  by  the  weaknes  of  their  discre- 
tions that  remained  there  to  do  it ;  wherefor,  instantly  the 
Generall  sent  for  me  and  M^  Adames,  the  preacher,  to 
accompanye  him,  and  to  take  leave  of  Hugh  Traine;  though 
wind  and  wether  adverse,  we  presently  departed,  and  being 
some  7  or  8  mile  over,  it  was  neare  9  o'clock  before  we  got 
into  Bantam,  where,  being  landed,  we  were  encountred 
w"^*^  most  noisome  smels,  w'^^  bred  a  conceipt  in  me  y*  it 
was  hard  and  doubtfull  for  anye  new  comers  to  continue 
there  health  untill  they  had  made  it  familiar  unto  them. 
At  our  coming  into  the  English  house,  we  found  Hugh 
Traine  in  good  memorye,  but  his  extreame  parts  growing 
could :  till  noone  the  Genn^  and  he  was  despatching  divers 
businesses,  w''^  being  dispatched  about  2  or  3  o'clock,  he 
gave  up  the  ghost.  We  staied  also  till  he  was  buried  the 
next  morning." 

By  Sir  Henry  Middleton's  direction.  Captain  Downton 
returned  to  Pullopenjaun  to  proceed  with  the  erection  of  a 
store-house  for  goods  with  a  dwelling-chamber  attached  to 
it,  which  house  was  erected  by  six  men  in  five  days,  and 
when  finished  was  filled  with  the  packs  from  the  Trade's 
Increase. 

'  CounniviiLlcr  of  tlie  ninth  voyage. 


CONSULTATIONS.  219 

Tlio  General  remained  at  Bantam  to  plan  a  lionso  for  tlio 
goods  of  the  sixth  voyage :  it  was  to  be  erected  at  some 
distance  from  the  English  house,  which  being  much  used 
by  the  factors  of  other  voyages,  contained  very  little  spare 
room. 

Sir  ITenrjr  Middleton  at  first  intended  that  the  Trade's 
Increase  should  discharge  at  Bantam  the  goods  intended 
for  that  market ;  but  as  there  was  no  house  to  receive  such, 
and  also  to  avoid  the  danger  of  fire,  to  which  all  strangers 
upon  any  discontent  or  broil  arising  among  the  natives  were 
subject,  the  great  ship's  company  too  being  required  to 
assist  the  Peppercorn,  directed  that  the  Trade's  Increase 
and  Darling  should  be  hauled  in  as  close  as  possible  to  the 
Peppercorn,  which  order  was  obeyed. 

SuflScieut  Bantam  pepper  to  make  up,  with  the  quantity 
already  on  board,  a  cargo  for  the  Trade's  Increase  having 
been  obtained.  Sir  Henry  Middleton  proposed  to  despatch 
her  home  under  the  command  of  Captain  Downton,  while 
he  himself  in  the  Peppercorn,  and  M"^  Pemberton  in  the 
Darling,  should  try  their  fortunes  at  the  Islands  of  Am- 
boyna,  Banda,  and  Borneo  :  at  the  Moluccas  there  was  no 
hope  of  doing  any  trade,  the  Spaniards  and  Portugals 
having  (as  it  was  said)  seated  themselves  there  in  great 
strength  ;  nor  was  there  much  prospect  of  success  at 
those  places  where  the  Hollanders  had  a  footing  and 
where  they  followed  their  business  with  a  large  force  of 
shipping. 

When  the  question  was  discussed  which  ship  and  which 
commander  should  be  employed  on  either  service.  Captain 
Downton  having  regard  to  the  foregoing  and  to  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Company's  great  business  at  Bantam,  for 
which  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  by  his  former  experience  and 
present  authority,  was  best  fitted,  ofiered,  however  hazard- 
ous and  hopeless  the  task,  to  undertake  the  same,  so  that 
whatever    casualty,  imputation,  or   disgrace,  might  be  in- 


220  LEAKY    STATE    OF    THE    SHIPS. 

curred,  should  be  assigned  to  liim  in  preference  to  the 
General,  The  meeting,  without  having  arrived  at  any  con- 
clusion^  broke  up  after  this  speech,  which  several,  for  private 
reasons,  opposed. 

Captain  Downton  did  not  make  this  offer  from  any  desire 
to  be  employed  upon  a  hopeless  task,  but  that  if  of  necessity 
one  must  try  the  fortune  of  a  doubtful  way,  then  he  to  be 
himself  so  employed  in  preference  to  his  Commander,  who 
had  to  carry  and  sway  the  whole  business. 

Notwithstanding  that  every  man's  opinion  was  that  the 
Trade's  Increase,  which  had  been  upon  a  rock,  and  had  had 
her  leak  stopped  with  much  labour,  should  not  be  adven- 
tured homewards  until  her  keel  had  been  examined  and  all 
doubts  set  at  rest,  yet  she  was  nominated  by  those  who  had 
expressed  most  doubts  as  a  very  suflScient  and  firm  ship  for 
the  voyage:  this  statement  Giles  Thornton,  George  Collen- 
son,  the  carpenter,  and  othex's  strongly  confirm,  to  Captain 
Downton^s  great  surprise,  who  did  not  for  some  time  under- 
stand their  reason  for  doing  so,  until  he  had  learned  how 
urgently  Giles  Thornton  had  entreated  to  go  as  master  in 
the  General's  ship  under  the  supposition  that  the  Pepper- 
corn would  be  that  vessel,  while  the  Trade's  Increase  (he 
and  his  goods  being  out  of  her)  was  quite  good  enough  for 
Captain  Downton,  the  merchants,  and  cargo. 

Though  Captain  Downton  considered  this  to  be  loose 
dealing,  jet,  considering  how  desirable  it  was  that  the  Com- 
pany should  receive  some  sjoeedy  return  for  their  great  ex- 
penses, and  that  he  himself  would  most  probably  be  em- 
ployed, he  forbore  to  speak  or  show  any  feai',  while  if  any 
other  man  had  been  likely  to  have  gone  in  her,  or  had  Sir 
Henry  Middloton  asked  his  advice,  he  would  not  have  con- 
cealed his  opinion  ;  further,  he  never  doubted  but  that, 
before  the  business  was  finished,  "  God,  by  some  occasion 
or  other'',  would  put  it  into  the  General's  mind  to  look 
more  closely  to  the  safety  of  so  many  men  and  so  much 


pownton's  homeward  voyage.  221 

goods.  This  actually  happened  when  the  Darling,  having 
been  careened,  it  was  seen  how  dangerously  she  had  been 
eaten,  which  made  Sir  Henry  Middleton  doubtful  about  the 
condition  of  the  Trade's  Increase_,  and  of  hazarding  her  on 
the  voyage  without  having  previously  had  her  overhauled, 
and  as  she  could  not  sail  that  year  if  this  work  was  carried 
out,  he  thought  fit  to  sell  some  of  the  goods  to  save  the  Com- 
pany from  loss ;  and  notwithstanding  that  by  the  Solomon, 
which  with  the  Hector  and  Thomas  had  sailed,  he  had  sent 
letters  to  the  Company,  he  further  determined  to  despatch 
the  Peppercorn  to  England,  which  vessel  was  got  ready 
with  such  haste,  that  on  the  19th  January,  1612-13,  she 
was  ready  to  receive  her  cargo,  which  was  all  shipped  by 
the  end  of  the  month,  and  her  stores  were  embarked  by  the 
fourth  of  February. 

From  Pullopenjaun  Captain  Downton  sailed  over  to  a 
watering-place  at  the  N.N.W.  part  of  Java  to  fill  his  casks, 
which  were  "  weak  and  decayed,  unto  which  we  had  a 
cooper  sutable,  being  3  parts  dead  before  I  had  him  and 
unable  to  mend  or  repaire  them,  who  within  short  time 
after  ended  his  life".  * 

The  homeward  voyage  was  commenced  on  the  8th  Feb- 
ruary, on  which  day  Sir  Henry  Middleton^  took  leave  of 
Captain  Downton,  to  whom  he  had  given  his  letters,  and 
on  his  departure  was  saluted  with  five  guns. 

A  few  days  afterwards,  Francis  Finder  raised  a  mutiny 
(as  it  were)  to  force  Captain  Downton  to  place  a  man, 
whom  the  latter  considered  unfit  for  the  post,  in  the  cook- 
room.  At  that  time  too  many  of  the  crew  suffered  from 
flux  and  other  illnesses. 

On  the  12*^  of  the  month  the  Peppercorn  sprang  a  leak, 

by  which  much  goods  were  damaged  and  the  crew  greatly 

fatigued  in  pumping,  the  water  having  risen  twenty  inches 

on  the  lower  orlop  deck  before  the  accident  was  known. 

'  Sir  Henry  Middleton  died  at  Bantam. 


222  SALDANIIA    BAY.       SCURVY. 

This  leak  was  caused  by  two  trennel  holes,  left  open  by  the 
carpenters  who  built  the  vessel,  and  completed  the  number 
of  fourteen  holes  similarly  discovered. 

On  the  day  following  this  mishap,  M*"  Alexander  Wick- 
steed,  the  minister,  died. 

March  the  eighth,  the  wind  so  high  that  her  courses  low 
set  was  the  only  canvas  the  ship  could  carry. 

By  the  cook's  negligence  the  galley  fire  eat  through  the 
back  of  the  furnace  and  set  fire  to  the  ship. 

From  the  second  of  April  to  the  first  of  May  the  Pepper- 
corn experienced  much  heavy  weather  to  the  great  injury  of 
her  sails. 

On  the  tenth  of  May  the  Peppercorn  anchored  in  Salda- 
nia  Bay,  where  the  Hector  and  Thomas,  two  ships  of  the 
eighth  voyage,^  wei'e  lying  at  anchor ;  and  also  the  Expedi- 
tion under  Captain  Newport,  of  the  twelfth  voyage,  but  not 
the  Solomon,  of  which  no  tidings  were  heard. 

With  the  aid  of  Captain  Towerson's  men,  the  water-casks 
of  the  Peppercorn  were  refilled,  and  on  the  IS*^"^  Captain 
Downton,  although  the  men  wei-e  no  whit  refreshed,  put  to 
sea  iu  hopes  of  completing  the  voyage  in  company  with  the 
two  other  vessels,  but  in  this  he  was  disappointed,  as  the 
other  vessels  were  soon  lost  sight  of  and  not  again  seen  on 
the  voyage. 

The  Expedition  sailed  at  the  same  time,  bound  "  towards 
the  confines  of  Persia,  to  some  place  where  they  might  in 
safety  land  S^"  Robert  Sherley  and  his  Persian  lady,  and 
S''  Thomas  Powell  with  his  English  lady,  who  were  bound 
unto  Persia". 

On  the  25*^  May  the  Peppercorn  for  the  third  time  sprang 
a  bad  leak,  her  orlop  deck  being  again  flooded. 

By  the  beginning  of  June  many  of  the  men  were  ill  with 
scurvy.  To  obtain  fresh  provisions  for  them  and  in  hopes  of 
meeting  the  Hector  and  Thomas,  Captain  Downton  intended 
'  The  voyage  commanded  by  Captain  Saris. 


Ai; RIVAL    AT    WATERPORD.  223 

to  toucli  at  S*^  Helena;  but,  on  standing-  in  towards  the  road, 
two  carracks  wore  seen  at  anchor  there,  upon  wliich  the 
captain  stood  out  to  sea,  in  hopes  that  if  these  vessels  were 
ready  for  sea  and  might  iniag-ine  he  had  support  near  at 
hand,  they  might  sail  during  the  night,  but  the  current 
carried  the  Peppercorn  so  far  to  leeward,  that  on  the  next 
day  it  was  impossible  for  her  to  make  that  port,  so  she  con- 
tinued on  her  course  towards  England. 

M''  Abraham  Law,  who,  by  reason  of  his  stomach  fiiiling 
him  and  often  having  inclination  to  vomit  but  failing  to  do 
so,  imagined  that  he  was  poisoned,  died  oii  the  27'^  July, 
when  the  surgeon,  in  the  presence  of  the  purser  and  others, 
opened  the  body  to  examine  the  intestines. 

On  the  11*^  August,  having  sighted  Fayal  and  Pico,  Cap- 
tain Downton  found  the  ship's  position  to  be  further  west 
than  he  expected. 

August  26*^.  ''  Cloudy  wethei-,  but  drie  afternoone.  At  2 
o'clock  my  giddy-headed  people  would  needs  make  land  and 
harbor  in  Britany,  from  which  we  were  80  leagues  distant, 
they  being  deluded  by  a  fog-bank  y*  brought  our  adverse 
winds  ;  yet,  nevertheles,  Francis  Pinder,  an  evill  member  of 
our  voyage,  southed  up  our  foolish  people  in  there  couceipt 
of  it  to  be  land,  whereby  he  made  a  generall  murmering  in 
the  ship  as  y*-  we  might  have  harboured  the  ship  and 
would  not.^^ 

1^^  September.  "Notwithstanding  the  extreame  weaknes 
of  our  people,  we  hove  up  againe  our  maine  yard,"  the  crew 
at  that  date  being  mostly  in  a  very  weak  state. 

7^^  September.  "  A  great  storme,  and  not  one  sound 
nor  healthy  person  ;  the  Lord  be  our  health  and  de- 
fence." 

On  the  9*^^,  a  small  sail  was  in  sight,  which  took  no  notice 
of  sio-nals  which  were  made  to  her. 

On  the  following  day,  as  the  wind  was  adverse  for  making 
any  port  on  the  south  coast  of  England,  Captain  Downton 


224  DISCOURTESY    AT   WATER70RD. 

stood  on  a  north-east  course,  in  hopes  of  reaching  Milford 
Haven,  and  thence  forwarding  a  letter  to  the  Company. 
Land,  being  a  high  hill  between  Wexford  and  Waterford, 
was  in  sight  on  the  eleventh,  and  on  the  twelfth  the  wind 
being  contrary  for  Milford  Haven,  and  the  extreme  weak- 
ness of  his  men  allowing  no  delay,  Captain  Downton  de- 
termined to  run  in  for  Waterford  harbour,  his  reasons  for 
doing  so  being  to  obtain  the  protection  of  the  forts  for  his 
ship  and  cargo,  to  procure  supplies,  and  to  forward  with 
the  greatest  speed  a  letter  to  the  Company.  On  approach- 
ing the  coast,  a  thick  fog  compelled  him  to  lie  to  until  the 
following  morning,  when  the  Tower  of  Whooke  (Hook)  be- 
came visible.  Captain  Downton  hired  a  boat,  a  Frenchman 
bound  for  Wexford,  which  was  proceeding  to  sea  from  the 
river,  to  bear  intelligence  of  his  arrival  to  the  Lieutenant  of 
the  Fort  of  Don  Canon  (Duncannon),  so  that  his  vessel 
might  be  allowed  to  proceed  up  the  river  without  stopping, 
lest  by  reason  of  the  narrowness  of  the  channel  she  might 
be  endangered ;  and  by  one  o'clock  on  the  thirteenth  he 
carried  his  ship  up  the  river  as  high  as  the  Passage,  when, 
by  the  aid  of  divers  of  his  countrymen,  the  sails  were  taken 
in  and  the  anchor  let  go,  Captain  Stephen  Bonner  of  Lime, 
who  was  there  for  the  fishing,  being  especially  zealous  in 
rendering  assistance. 

Captain  Bonner  was  despatched  to  Waterford  by  Captain 
Downton  to  endeavour  to  obtain  mouey  for  a  bill  drawn  on 
London  on  the  Company  of  East  Indian  merchants,  but 
none  could  be  procured.  The  Mayor  of  the  town,  though, 
offered  to  supply  provisions  at  rates  named  by  himself,  to 
which  Captain  Downton  replied  that  money  alone  was  what 
he  required. 

"After  my  coming  into  this  port,  I  was  continually 
accompanied  with  abundance  of  people  of  divers  sorts,  both 
Jesuits  and  Friers,  gentlemen  and  other  newsmongers, 
which,  under  culler  of  love,  came  to  heare  Strang  things, 


CAPTAIN    DOWNTON    ARRESTED.  225 

whereby  my  business  in  writing'  was  liinclrccl  all  the  day- 
time, and  I  forced  to  sit  up  in  the  nights."^ 

M""  Bonner  again  visited  Waterford  on  the  17'^,  but  the 
people  would  in  no  way  relieve  Captain  Downton's  wants, 
hoping  thereby  to  force  him  to  sell  some  part  of  the  cargo. 
On  that  day,  M""  Edward  Hinton,  the  Customer  of  Water- 
ford,  out  of  compassion,  and  seeing  that  there  was  no 
chance  of  the  Maj^or  and  principal  men  relenting,  offered 
Captain  Downton  a  loan  of  twenty  pounds,  with  a  pro- 
mise (which,  as  far  as  possible,  he  kept)  of  more  if  re- 
quired. 

M""  Bonner  was  despatched  to  Loudon  on  the  following 
day,  as  bearer  of  letters  to  the  Company. 

21**  September.  "Doctor  Lancaster,  Bishop  of  Water- 
ford,  very  kindly  visited  me,  bringing  down  with  him  his 
good  cheare,  and  made  a  sermon  aboord  the  shipp, 
and  offered  me  the  communion,  l)ut  thereto  being  un- 
prepared I  refused,  hartely  thanking  him  for  his  good 
will.^^ 

Captain  John  Burrell  visited  Captain  Downton,  and  offered 
to  supply  the  latter  with  money,  provided  that  a  messenger 
accompanied  him  to  Cork  to  receive  the  same,  and  accord- 
ingly J\P  Moll3aieux  was  sent  thither  in  Captain  BurrelFs 
company  on  the  eleventh  of  October. 

October  12*^  "  Anthony  Sti-atford,  Lieutenant  of  the 
Fort  of  Don  Canon  (having  hired  a  villenous  fellow,  whom, 
for  his  misdeamenor,  I  had  caused  to  be  kept  in  prison  at 
Waterford,  to  say  what  might  befitt  his  present  practise  to 
bring  us  within  the  conipas  of  piracye)  having  obtained  a 

'  On  September  15th,  Captain  Downton  addressed  a  letter  from 
Waterford  "to  the  right  worshipful  the  Indian  Company  in  Philpot 
Lane"  (^Calendar  of  State  Papers^  East  Indies^  1513^  1.  66,  p.  256),  com- 
plaining that  his  decayed  and  wretched  person  leaves  him  but  small 
ability  to  act  for  the  safe  guard  of  what  he  has  in  charge.  Only  twenty- 
six  of  his  people  alive,  out  of  forty-six  who  sailed  from  Bantam. 


226  END    OF    THE    VOYAGE, 

warrant  from  thearle  of  Orraund,  came  to  the  passage, 
where  he  sent  to  desire  me  to  send  my  boat  well  mand  to 
fetch  himself  and  divers  other  gentlemen  aboord  to  see  our 
shipp;  but  when  my  boat,  according  to  his  desire,  come  aland, 
he  apprehended  my  men,  and  presently  came  aboord,  where 
he  arrested  me  and  my  ship  for  piracye,  and  so  committed 
me  to  the  Fort  of  Don  Canon  to  prison,  giving  extraordi- 
narye  straight  charge  over  me,  yt  none  but  whom  he  list 
should  come  at  me  without  warrant  from  him,  and  such  as 
by  his  permission  came  to  me  he  would  have  put  to  their 
oathes  to  declare  what  conference  they  had  with  me,  my 
man  sworne  to  bring  no  Fres  from  me  to  anye  one,  nether 
from  anye  one  to  me  :  also  divers  of  my  people  this  night 
they  examined  of  their  oathes,  omitting  no  meanes  to  draw 
them  to  accuse  me.  So  I  continued  in  prison  untill  the 
IG*'^  day,  morning,  what  time  the  said  Stratford  brought 
me  a  Pre  from  S*"  Lawrence  Esmond  (accompanied  with 
the  Bishop  of  Waterford),  comde  from  thearle  of  Or- 
mond  to  replace  me  in  my  charge  againe,  which  by 
there  great  intreatye  and  persuasions  I  againe  under 
tooke/' 

M^  Benjamin  Joseph,  in  a  small  ship  of  Bristol,  bringing 
men,  money,  and  provisions,  entei-ed  the  river  on  the  twenty- 
fifth  of  the  month,  and  on  the  sixth  of  November  the 
Peppercorn  sailed  from  Waterford ;  on  the  twelfth  she 
anchored  off  Dover,  and  on  the  following  day  in  the  Downs, 
'^  neare  unto  the  Assurance  (the  kinge's  shipp),  saluting 
her  with  5  peeces  of  ordinance,  immediately  came  aboord  of 
me  M''  Cockett,  the  m'"  of  her,  who  againe  made  stay  of  my 
slii])p  till  further  order  from  my  Lord  Adrairall.  Uppon 
this,  I  presently  sent  away  M*'  Mullenax  to  Lundon  with 
Tres  to  certify  the  Company  heareof/' 

Next  day  M*"  Aldersly  arrived  with  a  letter  from  the  Com- 
pany, an  order  to  release  the  vessel,  and  a  pilot  to  take 
charge  of  her.     On  the  following  morning,  the  Peppercorn 


END    OF    THE    VOYAGE.  227 

left  the  Downs,  and   iu   tlie   evening*  aiicLorcd   at  Gi-avos- 
end. 

On  the  19^^  November,  in  the  morning'  at  six  o'clock, 
"  we  sette  saile,  and  at  10  o'clock  we  anchored  at  Black- 
wall,  where  in  the  afternoone  came  downe  M'"  Deputy  and 
divers  of  the  Committyes,  unto  whom  I  delivered  up  my 
charge,  and  so  concluded  this  our  tedious  and  our  tiring 
journey.  Anno  1613."^ 

•  Captaiu  Downtoa  died  at  Bantam,  when  on  another  voyage,  in 
command  of  the  New  Years  G'.ff-,  on  August  6tli,  1615. 

There  is  also  a  MS.  in  the  India  Office,  being  an  extract  from 
Captain  Best's  notes  relative  to  the  bargaining  for,  and  purchase  of, 
pepper,  for  money  or  by  exchange  of  goods  at  Priaman,  Tecoe,  and 
Passaman :  to  the  refusal  of  the  natives  at  the  last  place  to  bring  their 
pepper  to  him  as  they  had  agreed  to  do,  saying  that  when,  according  to 
promise,  they  had  brought  their  pepper  to  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  he  had 
refused  to  purchase  it ;  and  Captain  Best's  sending  his  merchants  for 
the  same  :  and  to  the  claim  for  custom  dues  and  anchorage  fees  by  the 
Governor  of  Priaman,  who,  in  consideration  of  a  promise  of  presents  for 
himself  and  his  subordinates  relinquished  the  former  claim,  the  latter 
one  being  agreed  to  by  Captain  Best. 


q2 


JOURNAL 

OF 

EALPHE     CROSSE, 

PURSER  OF  THE  "HOSEANDER'^  IN  THE  TENTH  VOYAGE. 
A.D.  1612. 


[This  is  a  Journal  of  the  Tenth  Voyage,  kept  by  Ealph 
Crosse,  the  purser  on  board  the  Rofieander,  which  vessel 
sailed  from  Gravesend  in  company  with  the  Hector,  James, 
and  Solomon,  on  the  ord  of  Febi^uary  1612,  the  general  of 
the  whole  fleet  being  Captain  Best.  The  Journal  com- 
mences with  the  following  "  Articles^'  issued  under  Captain 
Best's  own  hand,  with  orders  that  they  were  to  be  read 
every  month  in  the  hearing  of  the  respective  crews.] 

"  To  thend  that  Almightie  God  may  have  glorie,  the 
King  honor,  our  merchants  profitablie  served,  and  our 
vaiges^  soberlie  governed,  I,  Thomas  Best,  chief  captaine 
and  comaunder  of  the  Dragon,  James,  and  Sallomon,  and 
Hosiander,  do  establish  and  ordeyne  thes  lawes  and  ordi- 
nances followiuge,  straitlie  chargeinge  and  comaundinge 
both  captaines,  merchauntes^  and  mrs.,  with  all  other 
officers  and  mariners,  saillers,  or  other  persons  whatsoever 
imployed  in  this  vaige,  to  observe  and  keepe  the  said  lawes 
and  ordinances  so  far  as  doth  concerne  him,  or  eyther  of 
them  upon  the  peualtie  herein  comprised,  from  the  dale  of 
the  publicacion  hereof." 

"  1.  Imprimis,  that  everie  morneluge  and  eveneing  you 
the  chief  comander  or  m'',  assemble  together  your  men,  or 

1  Voyage. 


EULES    FOR    THE    TENTH    VOYAGE.  229 

company  to  licare  Dcvyne  Service,  and  care  be  taken  that 
your  praieres  and  the  Word  of  God  be  read  in  all  sobernes, 
as  in  the  presence  of  God,  that  He  may  have  glorie  and 
yourselves  comfortt,  with  increase  of  knowledp^e,  and  that 
no  man  abscntt  himselfe  from  thes  your  publick  praieres 
and  excersses  of  Religion,  neyther  willing-lie  nor  neicligent- 
lie,  nor  y*^  no  man  causse  any  disturbance  nor  lewdlie  de- 
meane  himselfe  in  this  your  Devyne  Service  upon  paiue  of 
punishment," 

"2.  Item.  That  you,  the  chief  comaunder  or  m^,  suffer 
nott  the  name  of  our  great  and  glorious  God  to  be  dis- 
honored amongst  yow  by  blaspheming,  sweareinge,  cursse- 
inge,  or  by  any  other  idle  takeinge  of  our  God  in  vayne 
upon  dew  punishement,  videz  :  for  the  first  oath  sworne, 
or  for  the  first  tyme  cursseinge  or  baneinge,  to  receve  thre 
blowes  from  y^  m""  with  the  bole  of  his  wissle;  for  the  second 
tyme,  either  sweereinge  or  cursseinge,  to  receve  six  blowes, 
as  aforesaid  ;  for  the  third  tyme,  nyne  blowes  ;  and  for  the 
fourth  tyme,  to  stand  24  houres  in  the  bilbowes  without 
eyther  meatt  or  drink,  and  so  for  everie  tyme  hearafter.^^ 

"  3.  Item.  That  muttuall  love  and  concorde  be  preserved 
amoungst  yow  ;  that  no  man  offer  abuse  to  other  in  word 
or  deed ;  that  therfore  all  druukennes,  all  mallice,  envie, 
hatred,  backbitinge,  and  slanderinge  be  avoided,  upon  paine 
of  severe  punishment;  that  love,  kindnesse,  humillittie, 
and  humanittie  be  entertyned  of  all  and  of  each  man  to 
other  ;  and  that  no  man  darr,  or  presume  from  wronges 
rec  :  to  revenge  his  owne  cause,  upon  payne  of  such  punish- 
ment as  to  that  partie  belongeth  which  first  comitted  the 
offence  ;  butt  that  everie  partie  so  wronged  shall  repaire  to 
the  captayne  or  m^  for  justice  ;  with  whom,  if  yow  fynd  nott 
sattisfaction  in  justice,  that  then,  oportunittie  and  tyme 
servinge,  that  then  they  repaire  to  me,  the  General  or  Chief 
Comaunder,  from  whom  he  shall  have  justice,  according  to 
the  qualitie  of  the  offence.^^ 


230  EULES  FOR  THE  TENTH  VOYAGE. 

"  4.  Item.  That  no  luaDj  of  what  condicou  or  place  soever 
shall  darre  to  challenge  into  the  field  or  npon  the  shoare 
dureing  the  tyme  of  this  our  vaige^  any  of  these  our  men, 
imploied  in  thes  our  shippes  ;  noV  any  person  or  persons 
shall  dare  to  accept  any  such  challenge ;  nor  no  man  to 
accompanye  any  that  goes  into  the  field,  under  paine  of  40 
strippes  upon  the  bareback,  and  to  stand  in  the  bilbowes  att 
the  discretion  of  the  Generall :  neyther  that  no  man  feight, 
nor  strike  any  maliciouslie  of  thes  our  men  upon  this  vaige, 
imploied  in  shipboard  or  on  shore,  upon  paine  of  severe 
punishment." 

''  5.  Item.  Whoesoever  shall  conspire  to  maik  away  his 
Governor  by  treason,  mallice,  or  otherwise  in  any  of  the 
shippes,  or  shall  be  a  mutineer  or  factious  fellow  to  taik  part 
with  any  man  against  his  Comauuder  or  Governor,  or  shall 
have  knowledge  of  such  conspiracies  or  malitiouse  pui-pose, 
and  do  not  spedily  maik  known  and  discover  the  same,  shall 
suffer  death  for  the  same.'" 

''6.  Item.  Everie  officer  in  thes  shippes,  both  att  sea  and 
att  land,  shall  do  ther  best  endevoures  to  reforme  all  thes 
disoi'deres,  and  shall  maik  known  and  aprehend  all  malle- 
facteres,  that  they  may  receve  dew  punishment ;  and  that 
no  man  lift  upp  his  hand  with  weappon  violentlie  to  resist 
any  officeres,  upon  payne  of  grevouse  punishment,  or  to 
suffer  death  for  yt  if  the  cause  so  require." 

"  7.  Item.  Whosoever  shall  break  open  or  pick  any  chest 
or  truuke  or  cabin  to  taik  anything  there  hence,  or  shall  pick 
any  man's  pockett  or  other  place  to  steall  from  him,  shall 
be  for  the  first  tyme  grevouslie  punished,  and  for  the  second 
time  suffer  death.'' 

"  8.  Item.  That  no  play  att  dice,  cardes,  nor  table  be 
suffered  in  your  shippes  for  money  nor  otherwi^se,  upon 
payne  of  severe  punishment." 

"9.  Item.  That  no  man  lodge  out  of  the  shipp  wherein 
he  is  shipped,  or  detayne  himself  aboard  any  other  shipp  for 


RULES    FOR    THE    TENTH    VOYAGE.  231 

tlie  wliolle  night  without  leave  of  his  captayuc,  uuder  payne 
of  punishment/^ 

^'  10.  Item.  That  no  man  shoott  of  any  peece,  grcatt  or 
smallj  after  the  setting  of  the  watch^  because  yt  is  an  alarme 
to  the  rest  of  the  shippes,  under  payne  to  be  punished.^' 

'^11.  Item.  That  greatt  and  especiall  care  be  taiken  for 
the  rehef  and  cumfort  of  all  sick  men  ;  that  they  be  kept 
cleane  and  refreshed  and  comforted  with  all  good  provi- 
sions ;  and  that  the  Chirurgions  extend  ther  best  endeav  : 
and  labores  towardes  there  care  and  cumfortes  ;  and  if  yt 
should  happen^  notwithstanding,  that  any  should  die,  that 
then  good  care  be  taken  that  a  trew  inventorie  be  maid  of 
all  the  goodes,  moneys,  apparell,  and  provission  belonging 
unto  the  partie  deceassed ;  and  for  all  apparell  and  provi- 
ssions  not  fit  to  be  keept  to  the  end  of  the  vaige,  that  yt  be 
sould  at  the  maynemast ;  and  that  theriu  such  order  be 
taken  as  is  pi'ovided  in  the  1 1th  article  of  our  Comission  ; 
and  the  purser  to  have  for  registring  it  11  des  per  £1.''^ 

"  12.  Item.  That  in  all  places  where  we  shall  staie  to 
relyve,  refresh,  and  cumfort  our  men  or  ourselves,  eyther  by 
fresh  water  or  vittualles,  that  everie  man  carie  himselfe 
w*  sobrietie  and  meeknesse  towards  the  people  of  the  coun- 
trey ;  that  justlie  of  our  partes  no  offence  be  geven  ;  and 
that  no  man  presume  to  wander  or  stragle  from  his  company 
W'ithout  leave,  but  that  he  contayne  himselfe  within  his 
lymites  and  boundes,  upon  payne  of  punishment,  for  by 
this  indescretion  and  libertie  taken  many  have  lost  ther  lyves, 
our  force  and  strength  in  our  shippes  therby  weakined,  and 
our  mayne  vaiges  often  indangered." 

"13.  Item.  For  so  much  as  the  preservacon,  care,  and 
good  husbandrie  of  our  vittualles  is  the  conservacon  of  our 
vaige  and  of  all  our  lyves ;  that  therefore  you  the  oflSceres 
extend  your  best  cares  and  endeavoures  to  y°  preservation 
of  all  our  vittualles  ;  that  so  all  abusses  may  be  prevented 
and  our  vittualles  prolonged  for  the  relief  of  our  couutynuall 


232  RULES  FOR  THE  TENTH  VOYAGE. 

neecessities  ;  tliat  so  accordiuge  to  tlie  larg  proporcons  from 
the  Wor^^  Comp^  receved  tlier  may  be  no  want.'^ 

"  14.  Item.  That  all  barteringes  and  bargaynes,  buyinge 
and  sellinge  betweene  man  and  man,  be  registred  and  entered 
in  the  purseres  booke  for  that  purpose  provided,  therby  to 
avoid  all  purloyneinge  and  steallingej  and  that  all  such 
bargaynes  and  barteres  that  shall  be  maid  without  such  re- 
gistringe  shall  be  void,  aud  the  offenders  to  undergoe  dew 
punishm*'  and  the  purser  for  his  service  to  receive  11  des 
per£l." 

''  15.  Item.  That  especiall  care  be  had  by  yow  the  boat- 
son,  your  towe  mates,  to  see  the  shipp  be  keept  cleane 
swept  and  washed  in  all  corneres,  as  oft  as  occasion  shall  be 
offered,  and  to  see  such  portes  left  open  in  hot  countres  as 
we  may  convenientlie  beare  out  for  the  better  aireinge  of  our 
shipp  and  health  of  our  men,  and  that  ther  be  no  eating 
and  drinking  under  the  uppermost  deck,  except  upon  neces- 
sity yow  be  constrayned  therunto  eyther  by  rayne  or  fowlle 
wether ;  and  this  to  be  performed  by  yow  all,  as  yow  will 
answer  yt." 

"16.  Item.  That  no  man  presume  to  go  downe  into  the 
hould  at  any  time,  upon  any  occasion,  without  acquaynting 
of  the  m""'  upon  payne  of  severe  punishment." 

"■  17.  Item.  Whosoever  shall  be  found  absent  from  his 
watch,  eyther  at  sea  or  in  any  roode  or  herber  wherwe  shall 
come,  or  being  at  watch,  bee  found  asleeppe,  shall  be  severlie 
punished.^' 

"  Item.  That  yow  the  cooke  with  your  mate  be  carefull 
yow  have  your  vittualles  well  seasoned,  both  flesh  and  fishe, 
aud  that  yt  be  provided  in  dewe  tyme,  vidz.,  dynner  to  be 
reedie  at  10  of  the  clocke  at  the  furthest,  and  supper  by 
five  o'clock  ;  and  likewisse  that  yow  have  a  speciall  care  to 
keep  your  steeppstubs  sweet  and  cleane,  together  with  the 
furnace,  kettles,  pottes,  aud  platters,  or  any  other  thinge 
which  shall  be  used,  eyther  about  the  dressiuge  or  serviuge 


ARRIVAL   OFF    SURAT.  233 

out  of  tlio  companies  vittualleSj  foryt  is  a  principall  thing  to 
be  regarded  for  the  preservacon  of  our  healthes.  Faille  not 
heereof,  as  yow  will  answeer  yt,  by  sitting  in  the  bilbowes 
24  houres  with  bread  and  water." 

"  Lastlie.  The  God  of  all  Peace  so  order  and  guide  us, 
that  we  maie  continewe  in  all  piettie  and  love  each  towardes 
the  other,  accordinge  to  place  and  calliuge  ;  that  the  end 
of  this  our  vaige  maie  be  with  more  glorie  to  Gode,  and 
better  reformacon  of  our  synfull  lives  then  the  beginninge 
thereof,  and  that  by  our  example  other  men  maie  be  encou- 
raged and  stirred  upe  to  like  laudable  enterprisses,  in  which 
God  is  the  giver  of  all  good  successe,  graunt  us  prosperittie 
in  peace  to  go  forth  and  in  saifty  to  retourne  to  the  great 
glorie  of  God,  honor  to  the  kinge,  comodittie  to  the  Co- 
monwealth,  gayne  to  the  merchants;  credit  and  reputacon  to 
us  the  factors." 

[The  fleet  anchored  off  the  bar  of  Surat  in  October  1012, 
and  on  November  27''^  news  came  that  a  Portuguese  expe- 
dition had  sailed  from  Goa  to  capture  the  English  fleet. 
Captain  Best  gave  orders  to  prepare  the  vessels  for  action, 
and  next  day  four  galleons  and  twenty-five  frigates  were 
seen  ofl"  the  bar.] 

"  Twenty -ninth  November  in  the  morninge,  being 
Saboath,  M^  Aldsworth,^  M""  Canninge-  (who  had  just  been 

'  Thomas  Aldsworth  was  the  chief  factor  at  Surat.  He  died  there  in 
1616. 

2  Paul  Canninge,  oue  of  the  Surat  factors.  lu  1613  he  went  on  a 
diplomatic  mission  to  Agra,  to  obtain  a  reply  from  the  Emperor 
Jehanghir  to  a  letter  sent  him  from  James  I,  and  also  to  beg  for  a 
firman  securing  to  the  English  an  anchorage  free  from  danger  of  attacks 
from  the  Portuguese.  After  a  long  and  tedious  journey,  Canninge 
reached  Agra,  but  died  there  on  May  27th,  1613.  His  kinsman, 
Lancelot  Canninge,  a  musician,  died  a  few  days  after,  and  another  of 
his  followers,  named  Richard  Temple,  died  on  his  return  to  Surat  on 
June  27th,  1613.     Mr.  Keridge,  with  Edward  Hunt,  was  sent  to  take 


234  PREPARATIONS    TO    RESIST 

released  from  captivit}'),  and  all  tlie  rest  of  the  mercliauntes 
were  corned  to  the  waterside,  where  M''  Canniuge  did  take 
leave  of  M""  Aldsworth  and  came  aboard,  haveing  verie  im- 
portunatlie  perswaded  Joo.  Jooson  to  repaire  abord  with 
others  of  our  yong  merchauntes,  which  refused  and  found 
many  delayes,  or  elles  durst  nott.  Everie  man  was  reedy 
with  great  spirit  and  courage  to  encounter  the  enemie/' 

*'  M""  Canninge  did  first  repaire  abord  the  Dragon,  where 
he  did  relat  unto  the  Gen^  so  much  as  he  knew  was  pretended 
by  the  Portingaille  against  us.  How  they  meant  to  taike 
both  our  shippes,  money,  and  goodes,  which,  before  they 
came  from  Goa,  they  had  vowed  and  receved  the  Sacrament 
upon  yt,  and  then  yt  must  need  be  performed.  How  they 
had  in  ther  shippes  some  200,  some  150  men  ;  ther  frigotes 
50  or  60  souldieres,  besides  sailleres,  which  number,  the 
Lord  knowes,  was  far  unequall  with  us,  they  being  about 
2,000  men,  we  little  more  then  200  in  both  our  shippes;  but 
the  Lord  I  hope  will  feight  for  us,  in  whom  is  our  trust  in  the 
daie  of  battaille.  Ther  ammerall  36  peeces,  cullverin  and 
derae  canon  ;  the  rest  20,  some  more,  some  lesse,  all  brasse 
ordinance  ;  and,  further,  the  Portingailles  did  verielie  think 
when  wee  see  ther  forces  that  we  would  not  feight,  but  yield 
in  hope  of  favour.^^ 

*'  Our  Gen^  came  this  morueinge  to  see  our  shipp  and 
feightes.  All  things  was  to  his  content.  He  made  a  speech 
unto  the  company,  the  effect  wherof  was  this,  that  although 
ther  forces  were  more  then  cures,  yet  they  were  both  basse 
and  cowardlie ;  and  that  there  was  a  sayinge  not  so  comon 
as  trew,  who  so  cowardlie  as  a  Portingaill ;  and  that  after 
the  first  bravado  was  past  they  were  verie  cowardes,  as  he 
in  former  tymes  had  found  them  by  experience;  did  there- 
fore perswad  everie  man  to  be  of  good  courage,  and  shew 
ourselves  trew  Englishmen,  famousse  over  all  the  world  for 

the  place  of  Cauuiuge  at  Agra.  Keridge  was  aftei'wards  chief  factor  at 
Surat,  and  came  home  in  1621. 


AN  ATTACK  OF  THE  POETUGALLS.  235 

trew  valour ;  and  that  God,  iu  whom  we  trusted^  would  boo 
our  helpe  :  to  trust  in  God  and  not  to  feare  death,  allthough 
for  death  we  were  ordayned,  and  iu  a  better  action  we  could 
not  die  then  in  the  behalfe  of  so  worthy  a  countrey  as  we 
have  the  Comonwealth  of  our  laud,  the  estate  of  our  m'"^- 
For  death,  sayth  he,  is  the  passage  to  heaven  :  He  shewed 
a  sayinge  of  David  in  his  '16  Psalme,  towards  the  latter 
end,  I  will  set  God  alwaies  before  me,  for  He  is  on  my  right 
hand,  therfore  I  shall  not  fall.  My  hart  is  glad,  my  glorie 
rejoiced,  my  flesh  allso  shall  rest  in  hope.  Thou  shalt  shewe 
me  the  path  of  liefe  ;  in  Thy  presence  is  the  fullnesse  of  joie, 
and  at  Thy  right  hand  there  is  pleasure  for  evermore.  In 
this  manner  haveing  encouraged  our  men,  furder  tould  them 
that  if  yt  should  please  God  that  any  of  our  men  in  feio-ht 
were  dismembred  or  la^^med,  he  ftiithfullie  promised,  upon 
his  credit  and  reputacou,  in  the  hearinge  of  the  company, 
that  he  would  be  a  meanes  unto  the  Wor^^'  whom  we  serve 
in  ther  behalfe,  for  reasonable  mayutenauce  to  keep 
them  as  long  as  yt  should  please  God  they  lyve,  and  him- 
selfe  to  be  the  petetioner  upon  his  knees  till  his  request  were 
graunted  ;  but  that  we  should  not  need  to  feare,  for  that  we 
served  a  religious  and  worthy  company  of  m""^  that  would 
never  see  a  man  go  to  decay  or  want  by  any  harme  sustayned 
in  ther  service.  Haveing  ended  his  speech  he  tooke  a  cup  of 
wyne  and  drounk  to  the  m''  (master)  and  all  the  companj'-, 
and  desired  God  to  give  us  His  blessinge,  and  so  retourned 
abord  his  owne  shipp  to  sermon." 

"  We  went  to  prayer,  M'"  Canneinge  being  speaker :  we 
all  joyned  with  him  that  God  would  assist  us  against  our 
aproaching  enemies.  After  prayer  we  went  to  dynner, 
drunk  one  to  another.  Thinking  tyme  long  till  they  were 
come  up,  we  had  weid  apike,  and  was  redie  when  the  Dragon 
weyd,  and  kept  of  her  wither  bowe.  We  had  the  wynd  of 
them,  which  we  aymed  to  keep,  stood  right  with  them  with 
flags,  ancientes,  and  our  pendants  at  everie  yardarme.     Ther 


236  FIGHT    WITH    THE    PORTUGALLS. 

Vice  Adrairall  was  the  headmost  shipp,  the  Dragon  steered 
directlie  with  her^  and  haveing  hailled  her  with  a  noise  of 
trumpets,  gave  her  a  sallutinge  peece  under  her  sterne.  She 
answered  her  agayne,  then  the  Dragon  came  up  with  her, 
and  gave  her  a  holle  broadside  for  a  welcome^  which  we  did 
see  to  raik  her  thi-ow  and  throw.  ^Ve  heerd  ther  people  make 
a  great  crie,  for  that  y  t  could  not  otherwise  bee,  but  that  they 
had  received  great  spoille  and  harme  from  the  Dragon.  She 
shot  at  the  Dragon,  but  shot  over  and  did  her  no  harme, 
save  onelie  the  sinkinge  of  her  long  boat,  which  that  night  she 
freed  and  maid  fit  agayne.  The  Dragon  did  so  plague  the 
Vice  Admirall,  that  the  Admirall  and  the  rest  rune  away 
afore  the  wynd.  We  were  reedy  to  second  the  Dragon,  but 
could  not,  for  that  they  rune  away.  The  Dragon  had  a  shot 
in  the  mainemast,  which  ther  stuck  fast :  another  shot  she 
had  upon  the  sterbord  bowe,  but  no  harme,  the  Lordes  name 
be  praised.  The  Vice  Admirall  bore  upp  with  her  consortes, 
the  Dragon  and  we  came  to  an  anker  halfe  a  league  of  them 
to  windward.  This  night  we  see  the  Vice  Admirall  upon 
the  cai-rene  with  all  the  frigotes  about  her,  thinking  she  had 
received  some  shot  under  water." 

"  This  feight  was  in  the  sight  of  the  shoare,  wher  both  our 
English  and  the  country  people  did  behold  us,  allthough  this 
afternoone  worke  w.ere  but  a  preparitive  to  that  ensewed." 

"  30  November.  This  daie  being  St.  Andi-ewes  daie  we 
weied  earlie  in  the  morneing,  keeping  the  wynd  of  them, 
bore  right  up  with  them,  the  Dragon  being  ahead,  steered 
with  the  Ammerall,  and  gave  her  such  a  breakfast  as  Nuuo 
da  Cuno  little  expected,  and  sent  him  such  tokens  as  maid 
the  shipes  side  crack  where  he  was.  All  of  them  this 
morneinge,  more  or  lesse,  hard  from  the  Dragon.  We  were 
not  far  from  hir,  to  second  hir  in  the  best  manner  we  could ; 
we  sent  them  tokens,  to  let  them  tast  of  our  curtesey ;  we 
came  so  neere  that  we  never  shot,  but  prevailed,  being 
amongst  them  where  they  all  did  shot  at  us.     We  had  a  hot 


FIGHT   WITH    THE    PORTUGxVLLS.  237 

conflict  this  morneinge,  but  no  harm  receved,  the  Lordea 
iiaoie  be  praised.  For  the  space  of  3  or  4  houres  our  feight 
endured.  We  stood  of  into  the  channell  for  deepe  water, 
and  ankered  in  7  fadn  :  water,  about  a  league  from  the 
enemie.  They  spoilled  us  some  tacklinge,  but  no  more 
harme  as  yet.  At  afternone,  with  flod,  we  weid,  and  the 
Dragon  weid  hkewise,  and  went  up  with  thre  of  them,  where 
she  plaid  hir  part  couragiouslie  all  this  afternone.  One  being 
from  the  rest  a  good  distance,  and  as  we  did  think  aground, 
we  came  upp  close  upon  hir  steerbord  sid,  within  halfe  a 
stone's  cast,  and  lesse  of  hir :  with  this  ship  we  spent  all 
this  afternone  in  feight  ;  we  maid  100  great  shot  this  day, 
langi'ill,  round,  and  crosse  bar,  besides  our  small  shot :  they 
maid  many  shot  at  us,  but  shot  many  over.  We  lost  our 
boatson,  Eichard  Barker,  this  day  slayne  by  a  great  shot 
upon  the  forecastle  :  our  tackleing  and  sailles  turne,  but  no 
more  harme  this  day,  the  Lordes  name  be  praised.  Our 
boatson  had  one  of  his  armes  taiken  away,  with  other  towe 
mortal!  woundes,  one  in  his  bodie,  the  other  in  the  arme. 
I  did  my  best  endevour  to  give  him  cumfort,  but  being 
broken  clene  in  sunder,  and  the  wound  in  his  body  more 
daungerous,  there  was  but  small  hop  of  his  life,  so  that  yt 
pleased  God  to  call  him  within  two  houres  he  had  receved  his 
hurtes.  Our  m''  and  cape  merchant,  after  the  feight  was 
ended,  went  abord  the  Dragon  to  see  our  Generall,  and  to 
know  if  all  ther  men  were  well :  the  Generall  tould  them  that 
all  his  company  was  well,  except  one  man  slayne  right  out 
with  a  shot  in  his  bodie,  wherupon  he  died  intstantly ;  another 
with  the  same  shot  lost  one  of  his  armes.  This  was  all  ye 
harme  the  Dx'agon  receved  this  dale,  save  his  tackleing  and 
sailles  something  toi-ne.  This  night,  in  the  begineing  of  the 
first  watch,  our  men  espied  a  frigot  verie  neere  the  shipp, 
which  had  rune  to  and  agayne  dyveres  tymes  about  our 
shipp :  the  watch  gave  our  m'"  notice  of  her,  and  she  being 
verie  neare,  our  m*"  caused  the  gunner  to  maik  a  shot  at  hir  : 


238  ON  THE  COAST  OF  KATIWAR. 

the  ordinance  being  reedy  primed  he  maid  a  shot  at  hir^ 
which,  to  our  judgment,  was  verie  faire  over  hir  :  he  maid 
another,  and  after  that  the  third.  She  presentlie  put  furth 
tow  lightes,  for  the  other  frigotes  to  come  to  hir,  but  we 
did  think  she  sunk  before  the  frigotes  came  to  hir,  as  after- 
wards, when  we  came  to  Swally,  we  did  certaynelie  under- 
stand, as  the  countrey  people  likewise  did  afirme,  for  that 
they  had  found  a  great  number  of  Christians  drove  upon  the 
shoare  to  the  number  of  30  or  40.  We  did  think  that  this 
frigote  was  by  the  General  sent  to  do  some  mischiefe  against 
us,  eyther  by  burneing  of  us  or  cutting  of  our  cable ;  but 
they  maid  a  pit  for  us  and  fell  into  yt  themselves.  They 
knew  they  had  no  hoppe  to  taik  us  by  feighting  with  us,  as 
they  had  reasonable  well  tried,  and  therfore  they  meant  by 
treacherey  to  betray  us ;  but  the  Lord,  who  was  our  chiefe 
Captayne,  both  by  daie  and  night,  would  not  suffer  ther 
trecherous  pretence  to  taike  effect." 

"  1  December.  This  day  we  rested  and  did  not  feight." 
"  2  December.    We  weid  and  stood  more  to  the  south- 
ward to  seek  deep    water,   they  keeping  in   sight    of  us. 
This  night  we  ankered  in  10  fadum  neere  unto  Daman." 

"  3  December.  We  weid  and  stood  towardes  Swally  Road, 
agayne  thinking  to  meet  with  them,  because  that  the  last 
night  we  had  lost  sight  of  them.  Our  companyes  both  was 
sorie,  for  they  had  great  desire  to  trie  yt  out  with  them. 
Our  Generall  was  fullie  resolved  to  have  fought  with  them 
if  they  had  followed  him  wher  he  might  have  bene  bold  to 
have  banged  yt  out  with  them  in  deep  water,  they  being 
lesser  ships  then  wee  and  light  withall,  that  they  drew  but 
little  water.  The  Generall,  seing  all  the  company  so  willing, 
yt  did  much  move  him  to  mayntayne  feight  with  them,  ail- 
though  he  was  deswaded  from  yt  by  the  chief  in  his  ship, 
and  withall  to  leave  them  and  put  to  sea,  to  see  if  we  could 
take  any  Ormus  men  bound  for  Goa,  which,  if  the  Generall 
had  consented  unto,  he  never  had  nor  could  have  had,  any 


ON  THE  COAST  OF  KATIWAR,  239 

trade  at  Suratt.  Tlie  Generally  upon  tlier  perswasion^  put 
to  sea  and  left  them." 

"  6  December.  We  liad  sig-lit  of  Dua.^  SaLoatli  daic  we 
went  to  sermon/'^ 

9  December.  The  vessels  anchored  off  Madefraband, 
where  the  people  readily  supplied  fresh  provisions. 

"  This  Madefraband^  hath  bene  a  great  huge  citie,  but 
much  ruinated  and  decayed,  the  walls  overgrowne  with 
wood.  Yt  hath  a  good  ryver  for  small  shippes.  The  Mal- 
labars  and  Portingailles,  sometymes  with  ther  frigotes,  put 
into  this  river,  and  then  the  people  and  the  inhabitantes. 
therof  doth  flie  away  upp  into  the  countrey,  for  that  they 
have  bene  many  tymes  I'ansacked  and  robbed  by  them, 
which  is  the  reason  that  makes  them  so  poore,  but  verie 
harmles  people  to  them  that  offereth  unto  them  no  violence." 

A  few  daj's  later  Captain  Best,  having  called  together  on 
board  the  Dragon  his  own  crew  and  the  greater  part  of  that 
of  the  Hoseander,  addressed  them,  askiug  whether  they 
thought  better  for  the  general  welfare  to  return  to  Swally, 
and  if  the  Portugals  were  there  to  fight  them,  or  to  lie  at 
anchor  doing  nothing  for  the  benefit  of  the  Worshipful 
Company.  Both  crews,  with  one  accoi"d,  voted  for  a  return 
to  Swally,  which  greatly  pleased  the  General. 

The  combined  crews  then  entreated  Captain  Best  to  spare 
the  lives  of  four  of  the  crew,  who  a  few  days  previously 
had  deserted,  but  had  been  captured  and  brought  back  by 
the  country  people.  After  much  entreaty,  he  pardoned  all 
four,  whereupon  the  crews  thanked  him  for  his  kindness. 
"  So  this  being  done,  the  cooper  was  called  to  fill  some 
beare,  and  haveing  drunk,  we  of  the  Hoseander  repaired 
abord  our  owne  shipp.^' 

Having   changed   the    anchorage    from  Madofraband   to 

1  Diu. 

2  December  6th  was  Sunday  in  1612.     It  was  leap  year. 
*  Possibly  Mandwa  Bunder,  near  Diu  (?)  or  Mowah. 


240  ON    THE    COAST    OF    KATIWAR. 

^'Mea,  alias  Mocha"/  the  General,  at  the  latter  place, 
learned  that  the  forces  of  the  Mogul  were  then  besieging  a 
castle,  distant  some  three  leagues  from  the  anchoi'age, 
held  by  a  force  of  Malabars,  but  that  the  progress  made  by 
the  besiegers  was  small,  their  guns  being  incapable  of 
battering  the  walls. 

Upon  hearing  of  the  arrival  of  the  fleet,  the  Governor  of 
the  Army  despatched  two  messengers  to  bid  Captain  Best 
welcome  to  those  parts,  and  to  treat  with  him  for  the  purchase 
and  sale  of  the  various  articles.  The  General  having  learned 
that  the  Governor  of  the  Army  was  a  friend  of  the  Governor 
of  Amedevar,  dismissed  the  messengers  after  kind  entertain- 
ment, and  in  their  company  he  sent  M""  Canninge  and 
M''  Oliver  to  the  camp. 

^M8  December.  Our  Generall  sent  his  boat  with  a  doss, 
shott  and  Capt.  Hermon  to  examyne  a  boat  was  heere  come 
into  a  kreek  laden  with  meale  and  rice.  I  was  spectator  in 
the  performance  of  this  mes.  of  M^"  Hermon's  ;  which  was 
done  with  too  much  severitie ;  for  although  they  said  they 
came  from  Dua,  yet  they  did  affirme  yt  they  were  Benians, 
and  that  permission  they  had  was  for  the  Army ;  but  Capt, 
Hermon,  giveinge  but  little  credit  to  what  was  spoken, 
caused  them  to  be  hanged  up  upon  a  tree  by  ther  handes, 
fingeres,  and  heades,  to  make  them  confesse  themselves  to 
be  Port.,  but  could  not,  because  they  were  not  so,  nor 
could  not  speak  a  word  of  Portingaille.  His  deallinge  was 
verie  extreame,  in  my  opinion,  they  being  such  harmles 
creatures." 

M*"  Canninge  and  M''  Oliver,  on  their  return  from  the 
camp,  where  they  had  been  very  courteously  entertained, 
informed  the  General  that  the  Governor  particularly  wished 
to  meet  him.  Also,  on  one  occasion,  while  conversing  with 
the  Governor,  a  soldier  came  up  to  him,  saying  that  the 
Malabars  were  ready  to  yield,  provided  the  lives  of  the  cap- 
'  Perhaps  Miani  Bunder. 


AID    TO   THE    mogul's    GENERAL.  241 

taiu  of  the  fort  and  of  some  of  his  chiefs  were  spared,  and 
for  the  rest  that  they  should  be  slaves.  To  this  message 
the  Governor  sent  answer,  that  the  Malabars  should  fisrht 
for  their  lives ;  further,  that  the  English  were  his  friends, 
and  that  if  with  his  own  forces  he  could  not  take  the  castle, 
he  had  interest  enough  to  hope  for  the  assistance  of  the 
English,  who,  for  their  pains,  should  have  the  castle  and  all 
the  goods  therein.  The  Governor  then  said  to  M''  Canniuge 
and  the  rest,  that  the  kingdom  was  theirs  for  trade,  or  for 
any  other  purpose,  and  that  as  soon  as  he  had  taken  the 
castle  he  would  present  it  to  the  General,  if  it  would  please 
the  latter  to  come  up  with  his  ships  to  countenance  him,  and 
that  the  Malabars  might  see  he  had  a  friend  in  the  English, 
and  so  be  induced  to  yield.  The  Governor  further  added, 
that  whatever  commodities  that  part  of  the  country,  or 
Amedevar^  or  Cambaia,  might  yield  for  trade,  he  would  be 
a  means  that  the  General  should  have  the  same  at  a  reason- 
able price  with  ready  conveyance  to  the  ships.  He  also 
said  that  he  had  heard  of  the  General^ s  fight  with  the  Por- 
tugals,  who  had  suffered  a  heavy  loss.  Previous  to  their 
departure  from  the  camp,  the  Governor  again  urged  M^  Can- 
niuge and  the  others  to  induce  the  General  to  anchor  off  the 
castle,  and  upon  their  promising  to  do  so,  he  provided  pilots 
to  navigate  the  ships. 

The  General,  as  soon  as  he  had  heard  the  result  of 
M^  Canninge's  mission,  gave  orders  to  the  master  to  get  the 
ships  under  weigh  at  flood  tide  to  move  in  towards  the 
castle,  which  order  was  duly  carried  out. 

21^*  December.  The  Governor  having  sent  off  to  the 
ships  four  of  his  chiefs  as  hostages,  the  General,  attended 
by  foi'ty  armed  men,  landed  and  repaired  to  the  trenches, 
where,  with  much  courtesy,  he  was  received  by  the  Governor, 
who  said  that  the  country  was  his  for  trade,  and  then  ex- 
pressed a  wish  to  have  four  of  the  best  guns  carried  ashore 
'  Ahmedabad, 


242  THE    PORTUGUESE    AGAIN    IN    SIGHT. 

from  the  ships  to  breach  the  walls  of  the  castle.  Captain 
Best  replied,  that  it  was  contrary  to  his  commission  to  land 
any  of  his  guns,  but  in  any  other  way  he  would  do  his  best 
to  please  the  Governor,  and  offered  the  assistance  of  one  of 
his  men  with  his  gunner  to  regulate  the  gun  platforms, 
which  offer  was  thankfully  accepted.  From  the  trenches. 
Captain  Best  proceeded  to  the  camp,  where  he  was  royally 
entertained,  and  from  whence  he  returned  to  the  Governor, 
who  again  attempted  to  persuade  him  to  land  some  guns, 
but  seeing  he  would  not,  desisted.  The  General,  previous 
to  returning  to  the  ships,  requested  the  Governor  to  spare 
the  lives  of  the  commander  of  the  castle  and  of  his  son  and 
daughter.  This  request  the  Governor  promised  to  grant, 
although  absolutely  refusing  to  give  a  written  promise  to 
that  effect. 

Two  of  the  smiths  were  left  on  shore  to  assist  in  making 
shot,  and  two  other  men  to  superintend  the  making  of  a 
platform  for  the  guns. 

22rt  December.  The  four  Portuguese  galleons  having 
been  reported  within  sight,  the  General  had  his  ships  pre- 
pared for  action,  and  sent  Mj'  Canninge  ashore  to  bring  off 
his  men.  The  Governors  of  the  Ai-my  and  of  Cambaia 
urged  Mr  Canninge  to  persuade  the  General  not  to  fight, 
pointing  out  the  inequality  between  two  merchants'  vessels 
far  from  their  country,  and  men-of-war  fighting  at  their 
own  doors,  and  thus  able  to  obtain  fresh  stores.  "  M''  Cane- 
ing  retourned  them  this  answer,  '  That  there  was  a  God  in 
heaven  would  feight  with  us  and  for  us.  He  was  our  Cap- 
tayne,  and  under  his  banner  we  did  feight,  and  those  that 
constantlie  and  faithfullie  trusted  in  him,  he  would  deliver 
them  in  the  day  of  battell.^  Which  speech  they  liked  very 
well,  and  tould  M''  Canninge  that  if  our  Generall  wanted 
eyther  powther,  shot,  or  vittualle,  or  any  thing  else  whatso- 
ever, we  should  have  yt  from  abord  his  frigates.'^  For  this 
offer  M'"  Canninge  returned  many  thanks. 


DEFEAT  OF  THE  PORTUGUESE.  243 

"  23  December.  In  the  morneingo  we  weid  both,  and 
steered  right  with  the  galleons,  they  being  at  anker,  the 
Dragon  with  the  Ammerall,  and  we  with  the  Vice-Ammerall. 
We  did  maik  tliem  such  a  breakfast,  as  I  do  verielie  think 
was  neyther  in  the  way  of  courtesy  or  unkindnesse,  was 
well  accepted.  The  Dragon  being  ahead  steered  from  one 
to  another,  and  gave  them  such  banges  as  maid  ther  verie 
sides  crack;  for  we  neyther  of  us  never  shot,  but  were  so 
neere  we  could  not  misse.  We  still  steered  after  the  Dragon, 
and  when  she  was  with  one  we  were  with  another,  and  the 
truth  is,  we  did  so  teare  them  that  some  of  them  were  glad 
to  cut  cables  and  be  gone.  This  morneinge's  feight  was  in 
the  sight  of  all  the  army,  who  stood  so  thick  upon  the  hills 
beholdinge  of  us,  that  the  number  of  them  being  so  many 
they  covered  the  ground.  We  lost  no  tyme,  nor  spared 
neyther  powther  nor  shot,  as  our  spectatores  ashoare  can 
well  witnesse,  how  this  day  we  paid  them  and  maid  them 
rune  away  about  2  leagues  off  into  the  sea,  wither  we  fol- 
lowed them  receiving  and  payinge  them,  to  the  great  honor 
of  our  Generall,  and  the  credit  of  our  nation  to  have  2  mer- 
chant shippes  to  beat  4  men  of  warr.  We  aukered  in  the 
wynde  of  them.  Being  comed  to  anker,  our  Generall  sent 
Capt.  Hermon  abord  of  us  to  know  if  we  were  well.  We 
tould  him  all  was  well,  saveing  one  or  tow  lightlie  hurt  in 
the  head.  Capt.  Hermon  tould  us  they  had  one  man  slayne 
and  some  lightlie  hurt.  This  was  all  the  harme  that  both 
our  shippes  receved  this  daie,  the  Lorde's  name  be  praised, 
that  did  so  wounderfullie  preserve  us,  for  some  of  our  men 
escaped  this  daie  verie  narowlie  from  a  culverin  shot  that 
came  in  under  our  half  deeck." 

"  24  December.  This  morneinge,  verie  earlie  with  daie, 
we  weid  and  set  saille  towardes  the  enemie,  we  being  in  the 
wyud  of  them  and  not  alltogether  without  the  sight  of  the 
army.  This  morneinge  they  weid  too,  and  comeing  upp 
with  them,  we  did  so  let  yt  flie  at  the  Vice-Admerall,  the 

R  2 


244  DEFEAT  OF  THE  PORTUGUESE 

Dragon  being  with  the  Ammerall,  as  we  maid  her  beare  upp 
helme  and  go  from  us ;  and  in  the  self  same  fashion  we 
served  the  Admei'all,  the  Dragon  haveinge  geven  hir  the 
first  Bonjour.  We  gave  her  the  Bcsa  los  manos ;  but  she, 
tmwilhng  to  complement  any  longer  with  us,  did  Anda 
por  atras.  Our  men  this  daie  did  shew  great  vallour,  everie 
man  in  his  place.  One  of  our  men  threw  a  ball  of  fire  into 
ther  Admiral],  that  busied  them  all  to  put  yt  out  agayne ;  and 
if  they  had  not  scene  yt  when  they  did,  yt  had  fired  ther 
shipp.  This  day  we  tried  them  most  cruellie ;  we  see  swim- 
ing  by  our  shipp  sides  peeces  of  tymber,  boordes,  and  ould 
hattes  and  clothes  :  ther  sailles  were  allmost  torne  from 
yardes,  some  of  them  and  ther  tackling  cut  in  peeces. 
M^  Canninge  did  much  encourage  our  men,  and  verie  redy 
himself  to  do  what  service  he  might.  We  spent  thes  2 
dales  in  feight  furth  of  our  shipp  250  great  shot/' 

After  the  conclusion  of  this  engagement  the  Hoseander's 
company  petitioned  the  General,  regard  being  had  to  the 
great  expenditure  of  ammunition,  either  to  undertake  some 
exploit  whereby  the  Portugals'  shipping  might  be  destroyed, 
or  else  whilst  any  stores  were  left  to  be  gone  forth  from 
that  place.  Captain  Best,  too,  had  determined  on  this  course, 
and  according  gave  orders  to  sail  for  the  Road  of  Swally. 

In  these  engagements  the  Hoseander  expended  27  bar- 
rels of  powder,  and  300  great  shot,  cross  bar,  langrel  and 
round. 

The  General,  having  boarded  the  Hoseander,  thanked 
the  company  for  their  exertions  and  promised  to  use  his 
interest  to  obtain  from  the  Worshipful  Company  fitting 
rewards  for  them.  He  further  added  that  he  was  much 
pleased  with  their  petition,  and  should  occasion  require  it, 
he  would  not  fail  to  make  some  attempt  to  destroy  the 
galleons. 

Twenty-seventh  December.  The  vessel  anchored  off 
Swally,  when  the  General  learned  that  the  Firman  had  not 


AT    SUEAT.  245 

arrived,  though  the  Governor  of  the  Army  had  tohl  him  it 
was  at  Amedevar.^  When  Medeiopher^  who  offered  a  supply 
of  powder  and  shot,  visited  the  General,  the  latter  enquired 
after  the  Firman,  and  received  a  promise  of  its  speedy  arrival. 

On  the  thirty-first,  a  boat's  crew,  sent  ashore  for  water 
and  provisions^  returned  empty-handed,  in  consequence  of 
Medeiopher,  who  was  displeased  with  the  General,  having 
forbidden  the  Macadam^  to  furnish  such.  M^'  Canninge,  on 
his  return  from  Surat,  said  that  the  cause  of  offence  was 
the  General's  refusal  to  let  Medeiopher  have  certain  cloths, 
previously  promised  to  him,  without  payment,  but  that  he 
had  been  partially  appeased.       -=«— ^-^ 

Fifth  January,  1612(3).  M""  Complain,  the  preacher,  and 
divers  of  the  merchants,  went  up  to  Surat  to  despatch  busi- 
ness and  to  speak  with  the  chiefs  about  the  Firman;  further, 
if  there  was  no  hope  of  its  arrival  to  jjersuade  ]\P  Aldsworth 
to  return  to  the  ships.  Next  day  the  General  returned. 
Medeiopher  his  signet,  as  he  had  proved  so  inconstant. 
The  same  day  a  letter  was  received  from  M"^  Aldsworth, 
saying  that  whether  the  Firman  came  or  not,  he  would  not 
leave  Surat. 

Seventh  January.  The  news  of  the  arrival  of  the  Firman 
was  received,  which  made  M^"  Aldsworth^  who  had  refused 
to  leave  the  country,  very  joyful  at  the  prospect  of  remain- 
ing there;  but  the  General  doubted  that  it  was  the  Firman, 
for  it  had  been  brought  down  in  no  state  or  fashion,  while 
he  had  expected  that  Medeiopher  and  the  chief  men  would 
have  accompanied  it,  and  to  that  effect  he  sent  them  a 
message. 

Eleventh  January.  The  chiefs  having  come  down,  the 
General,  attended  by  thirty  men,  landed,  and  having  met 
Medeiopher,  went  to  the  Macadam^s  house,  where  "  the 
Cavellero  that  brought  the  Firman  from  the  Court  was,  in 
verie  rich  apparell,  reedy  with  the  Firman  in  his  hand 
>  Alimcdabad.  ^  Makaddam,  a  cliicf  or  head  mau. 


24G  AREIVAL    or    THE    EOYAL    FIRMAN. 

covered  with  read  silke,  and  maid  up  in  clotli  of  gould,  and 
did^  in  the  presence  of  all  the  chiefs,  deKver  yt  unto  our 
Generally  where  he  demanded  to  know  the  contents^  yf  they 
were  corespondent  to  the  Articles  concluded  upon  with  the 
Governor  of  Amedevar  or  no.  The  chief  afl&rmed  it  to  be 
the  same,  and  so  our  Generally  in  all  reverence  and  curtesy, 
received  yt,  our  trumpetes  afterwardes  soundinge  and  a 
value  or  towe  of  small  shot :  and  for  the  unkiudnesse  be- 
twixt our  Generall  and  Medeiophei-,  yt  was  tourned  to  great 
kindnesse  and  love  againe,  and  there  all  discontentes  was 
ended  betwixt  them.  Our  Generall  tould  them  that  pre- 
sentlie  he  would  apoint  a  merchaunt  that  within  6  or  7 
dales  should  be  reedy  to  take  his  journey  towardes  Agra 
with  our  kinge's  present,,  which  before  tyme  they  had  scene, 
and  also  our  king's  letter." 

They  then  offered  the  General  great  courtesies  and  privi- 
leges for  trade  throughout  the  country,  as  well  in  Amede- 
var and  Cambaia,  as  elsewhere,  and  promised  to  care  (as  for 
their  own  people)  for  all  such  persons  whom  the  General 
should  leave  at  Surat ;  and  should  all  such  happen  to  die, 
then  they  would  have  inventories  made  (as  had  been  already 
done  for  the  Dutch)  of  all  goods,  cash,  and  debts,  and  the 
same  should  be  paid  over  to  their  successors. 

"  The  General  then  yielded  them  many  thankes,  and  for 
awhile  took  leave  of  the  chief,  gave  them  2  valley  of  shot 
and  threw  amongst  the  souldiers  tow  handfulls  of  money, 
and  with  the  sound  of  the  trumpettes  repaired  downe  to  the 
waterside.^' 

The  Portuguese  ships  having  appeared  in  sight.  Captain 
Best  hastened  to  make  preparations  for  departure.  M^  Can- 
ninge,  attended  by  Richard  Temple  and  Edward  Hunt,  was 
appointed  to  convey  the  presents  and  letters  to  Agra,  and 
Anthony  Starkie  was  selected  to  return  overland  to  Eng- 
land with  letters. 

All  business  arrangements  having  been  completed,  the 


PILLAGE    OP    NATIVE    VESSELS.  247 

General  sailed  from  Swally  ou  the  seventeenth  January,  and 
the  day  following  passed  close  to  the  galloons,  which,  in 
bravado,  weighed  and  followed  the  two  ships  for  a  short 
time,  and  then  again  anchored.  ''  Thus  we  parted  from 
these  valient  champions,  that  had  vowed  to  do  such  famous 
actes,  but  yet  content  to  give  us  over  with  great  shame  and 
infiimy  redounding  unto  themselves,  but  this  was  the 
Lordes  doinges,  and  God  graunt  us  to  give  him  the 
glorie.^' 

Nineteenth  January.  Four  junks  were  captured ;  they 
were  from  Cananoer,  bound  for  Surat,  The  General,  after 
they  had  been  pillaged,  allowed  them  to  continue  their 
voyage  to  Surat.  "I  praie  God  our  people  at  Surat  susteyne 
not  revenge  at  the  handes  of  thes  people  for  this  dale's 
worke.^' 

Between  that  date  and  the  end  of  the  month  many  junks 
were  captured,  all  were  pillaged,  but  some  were  released, 
whilst  others  were  destroyed. 

Ou  one  occasion.  Captain  Best  visited  the  Hoseauder, 
and  addressing  the  crew  said,  that  in  consideration  of  their 
courage  and  to  reward  them  for  their  services,  he  had 
allowed  pillaging,  but  since  they  and  the  crew  of  the 
Dragon  could  not  agree  about  the  plunder,  to  put  an  end 
to  the  scandal  caused  by  such  quarrels,  he  withdrew  his 
permission,  and  should  any  ships  be  captured  he  would  take 
means  to  satisfy  both  crews.  Afterwards,  six  of  the  Hose- 
ander's  officers  went  on  board  the  Dragon  to  draw  up  an 
agreement  on  that  subject. 

On  board  one  of  the  prizes  a  letter,  written  at  Goa,  was 
found,  in  which  it  was  stated  that  Nuno  da  Cunho  had  cap- 
tured two  English  ships  at  Surat. 

Thirtieth  January.  The  fleet  anchored  off  Bringa,  a  little 
village  some  30  leagues  northwards  of  Cape  Comorin.  The 
General  received  a  visit  from  the  Ambassador  of  the  king 
of  that  country,  who  offered  him  great  kindness  and  trade. 


248  AEEIVAL   AT   ACHIN. 

Fourth  February.  The  ships  set  sail  from  Bringa/  than 
"  which  place  as  yet  we  have  not  found  in  the  Indies  a  place 
of  better  refreshing'^,  but  owing  to  contrary  winds,  which 
forced  them  to  anchor,  did  not  double  Cape  Comorin  until 
the  twenty-sixth,  and  on  the  following  day  were  within 
sight  of  the  Island  of  Ceylon.  An  attempt  to  obtain  sup- 
plies from  the  inhabitants  of  that  island  was  unsuccessful,  as 
the  natives,  who  were  friendly  disposed  towards  the  Por- 
tugals,  refused  to  hold  any  communications  with  the 
vessels. 

^  While  off  the  Island  of  Ceylon  two  vessels  were  sighted, 
which  were  found  to  be  a  Fleming,  and  her  prize.  The 
captain  of  the  former,  before  the  vessels  separated,  pre- 
sented one  black  boy  to  the  General  and  another  to  the 
preacher. 

Twelfth  April,  1618.  The  vessels  entered  the  Eoad  of 
Achin,  and  upon  their  anchoring  the  Shabender,  accord- 
ing to  custom,  boarded  the  Dragon  to  learn  what  the 
vessels  were.  He  told  the  General  that  he  had  authority 
from  the  King  to  bid  him  welcome,  adding  that  the  King 
was  well  disposed  towards  the  English,  and  promised  on 
the  day  following  to  conduct  some  of  the  company  into  the 
King's  presence.  Accordingly,  next  day  some  of  the  mer- 
chants were  sent  ashore  and  were  received  by  one  of  the 
chief  nobles,  the  King  being  absent  on  a  hunting  excursion, 
who  promised  them  permission  to  trade,  and  said  that  the 
King  greatly  desired  to  have  commerce  with  the  English. 
He  also  assigned  the  merchants  a  house. 

On  that  day  the  merchants  were  entertained  by  the 
Flemings  at  their  house. 

Fifteenth  April.  In  compliance  with  a  message  from  the 
King,  who  desired  to  speak  with  him,  the  General,  "with  50 
or  60  of  his  chiefest  men  to  attend  him,  went  ashore  to  the 

•  There  is  no  port  with  a  name  resembling  this  on  the  coasts  of  Mala- 
bar or  Travaucore. 


INTERVIEW    WITH    THE    KING    OP    ACHIN.  249 

King  with  the  Sabender  and  the  Capt.  of  the  Fleming. 
The  people  of  the  citteo  received  him  with  all  joie  and 
mirth  that  might  bee,  but  the  king  was  absent  ahunting  of 
wild  ellofantes,  in  which  sport  he  taikes  great  delight :  but 
by  some  of  his  chiefes  the  General  was  entertayned/'' 

Seventeenth  April.  ''  This  day  great  disorderes  abord 
our  shipp,  both  with  our  owne  men  and  the  Dragon's  men  : 
first,  by  drinking  drunk,  and  then  by  fighting  with  fistes, 
in  the  sight  of  the  Guzurat  junkes,  to  all  our  great  shames 
and  disgrace  to  our  country  and  nation." 

Eighteenth.  "  This  dale  our  Kinge's  letter  was  sent  for 
by  the  King  of  Achiu  with  an  ellofant  and  a  chaire  of  state 
in  the  form  of  a  castle  upon  his  back.  After  went  the 
General  to  the  Court,  where  he  presented  the  Kinge  with 
a  rich  present  from  our  kinge ;  and  the  King  likewise  did 
give  unto  our  General  a  vest,  with  M"^  Moore  and  M^'  Oliver. 
He  entertayned  us  with  the  fightinge  of  ellofantes,  buffeloes, 
and  great  rames  ;  and  afterwardes  was  provided  a  great 
banquet  with  many  dishes  and  great  store  of  arack.  The 
banquet  was  served  in  dishes  of  pure  gold  and  silver, 
brought  in  towe  chestes  of  gould,  which  they  do  use  to 
keep  ther  betel  in,  they  use  to  eat  of  verie  much.  Great 
curtesy  by  the  King  was  oSered,  and  that  the  country  was 
at  our  comaund.  But  our  General,  as  yet  not  alltogether 
satisfied,  for  that  he  hopeth  of  furder  commerce  with  the 
King  and  at  large  to  deliver  his  mynd  unto  him.'' 

Twenty-seventh  April.  "  Our  General  went  to  the  Em- 
bassador of  Siam,  with  whom  he  did  converse  of  such 
comodities  as  in  ther  countrey  were  vendible,  and  likewise 
of  the  qualitie  of  such  comodities  as  were  ther  to  be  re- 
tourned  for  England.  The  Embassador  did  afirme  that  the 
quantitie  of  2000  clothes  would  vent  ther  in  the  space  of  2 
monthes,  with  diveres  other  comodities  highlie  esteemed  of. 
Rials  of  eight  to  be  worth  ther  7s.  the  riall :  raw  silk  there 
is  great  store  and  cheapp,  and  likewise  benjamyn,  better 


250  ENTERTAINMENT    AT    ACHIN. 

then  that  of  Achin  :  and  the  weight  ther  greater,  for  that 

4  bahars  of  Achin  makes  but  3  at  Siam ;  caUicoes  of  Surat 
sell  well  there  :  black  and  read  hattes  :  lookinge  glasses  : 
birding  peeces  of  the  smallest  sort  being  well  damaskt. 
All  this  the  Embassador  for  certayne  did  afirme  unto  our 
General,  and  offered  to  affirme  yt  with  the  Kinge's  sealle, 
seameingf  verie  desirous  to  have  comerce  with  the  Eng-lish. 
This  day  he  had  a  child  circumcized  with  great  seremonyes 
after  ther  fashion.^^ 

A  few  days  afterwards  '^the  Embassador  of  Siam  dyned 
with  our  General,  but  sent  his  owne  cookes  to  dresse  his 
vittualles,  and  brought  his  drink  with  him,  being  water  in 
great  flagons  of  sillver.'" 

"  First  May.  The  King  went  to  recreat  himselfe,  accom- 
panyd  with  our  General  and  the  Dutch  merchants,  when  they 
went  to  a  river  about  6  or  7  milles  from  the  towne,  the 
King  riding  upon  an  ellofant  in  a  chaii'e  of  state  upon  his 
back.  They  came  to  a  place  wher  they  washed  themselves, 
the  King  sitting  upon  a  seat  in  the  midst  of  the  river,  with 
our  General  and  the  Dutch  merchantes  and  all  his  nobles 
about  him  in  the  water,  with  aboundaunce  of  people  that 
were  spectators  on  the  shoare,  his  nephew  poureing  water 
upon  him  as  he  sat,  with  a  golden  buckit,  for  the  space  of 

5  or  6  houres.  Then  afterwardes  they  had  a  great  banquet, 
with  aboundaunce  of  vittuall  and  arack,  dressed  after  ther 
maner.  Haveing  ended  the  banquet  they  retourned  to  the 
Kinge's  pallace  with  our  English  trumpettes  sounding  be- 
fore them,  and  women  playing  and  singing  before  the 
Kinge  ;  and  thus  they  came  to  the  pallace,  wher  at  that 
tyme  our  Generall  took  leave  of  his  Majestic." 

Fourteenth  May.  The  General  obtained  the  King's 
licence  to  cut  wood  upon  one  of  the  islands.  On  the  same 
day,  too,  he  heard  of  the  arrival  of  a  Portugal  juiik,  and 
that  some  of  the  Portugals  had  gone  to  the  King  to  inform 
him   of  their  arrival    with   the  Embassador  whom  he  had 


TRANSACTIONS   AT   ACHIN.  251 

sent  to  the  King-  of  Joar.^  Next  day,  the  Hoseander,  with 
the  Drag'ou^s  pinnace,  anchored  close  to  the  junk.  Pre- 
viousl}^,  the  Guzcrats  had  ofi'ered  for  a  certain  sum  to  land 
the  Portugals  and  their  goods  in  safety ;  but  all  the  latter, 
with  the  exception  of  one  man,  were  ashore.  He,  with  some 
goods,  went  on  board  the  Guzerat,  upon  which  the  Hose- 
ander's  boat  was  sent  after  him,  and  he  and  the  goods  were 
brought  back  to  the  junk.  The  junk  had  on  board  certain 
chests  and  bales,  which  were  said  to  be  for  the  Kino-. 
Thomas  Hounsel  was  placed  in  charge  of  her.  Upon  this 
action,  the  King  sent  a  messenger  to  Captain  Best,  to  ask 
what  had  the  latter  done,  and  whether  he  intended  to  act 
the  part  of  friend  or  foe.  Captain  Best  satisfied  the  mes- 
senger that  his  intentions  were  friendly;  and  on  the  follow- 
ing day,  in  company  with  the  King's  Ambassador,  he 
landed,  and  at  an  interview  with  his  Majesty,  presented 
him  with  the  junk,  everything  on  board  her  being  intact. 
The  King  did  kindly  accept  the  gift. 

On  that  day  the  General  bought  from  the  King  40  bahars 
of  benjamin  at  25  tael  the  bahar. 

Seventeenth  May.  An  old  man,  who  for  his  knowledge 
of  cookery  and  language  was  employed  about  the  house, 
was,  through  the  malice  of  the  Shabender,  cruelly  murdered, 
the  only  cause  being  the  ''  denial  of  the  Kinge^s  work,  be- 
cause he  was  then  employed  by  us^". 

Nineteenth  May.  The  Hoseander,  to  obtain  a  supply  of 
wood,  crossed  over  to  an  island  where  "  we  found  a  great 
many  people  with  ther  armes  and  leges  cut  of  for  offences, 
which  is  the  Kinge^s  lawe,  haveing  one  chief  apointed 
governor  over  them,  in  regard  they  should  not  bee  idle,  but 
be  imploied  in  the  Kinge's  service  for  the  making  of  brim- 
ston". 

"  And  in  the  tyme  of  our  wooding  we  found  certayne 
spideres  whose  Aveebes  were  perfect  silk,  the  which  our 
chirurgion  hath  one  to  showe." 

^  Johore. 


252  TRANSACTIONS    AT    ACHIN. 

The  Hoseander,  Laving  parted  her  cable,  was  near  drift- 
ing ashore  on  this  island ;  but  the  master,  who  was  on 
shore,  hastened  aboard,  and  having  got  her  under  sail 
worked  her  off  the  shore.  "  But  it  was  more  Gode's 
providence  then  our  men's  carefullnes'^  to  which  her  escape 
was  due. 

At  Achin  the  bahar  was  found  to  weigh  395'^®-,  English 
weight. 

Nathaniel  Fenn  was  tried  by  a  jury  and  condemned  to 
death  for  having  drawn  his  sword  on  the  General,  who,  at 
the  urgent  request  of  the  Ambassador  of  Siam,  pardoned 
the  culprit,  and  made  him  over  to  that  dignitary. 

Twenty-sixth  May.  A  letter  was  received  from  M''  Can- 
ninge,  who  mentioned  that  on  his  way  to  Agra  he  had  been 
attacked  by  thieves  ;  that  Hunt  and  Temple  had  deserted, 
carrying  with  them  much  money ;  and  that  he  had  heard 
that  Nuno  da  Cuuho  was  by  the  Viceroy  imprisoned  at  Goa 
for  returning  without  commission  ;  also  that  Chaoul  and 
other  places  held  by  the  Portugals  were  besieged  by  the 
forces  of  the  Mogul. 

Second  June.  "  The  Generall,  with  all  our  chiefe,  went  to 
the  court,  where  before  the  King  we  see  an  ollephant  and  a 
tiger  maik  a  cruell  feight,  his  Majestie  siting  upon  an  olle- 
phant beholding  the  sport ;  which,  being  ended,  the  Gene- 
rall accompanied  his  Majesty  to  his  pallace,  and  so  took 
leave. ^' 

Fifth  June.  The  General  went  to  Court  in  hopes  of  pro- 
curing the  Kinge's  letter  of  permission  to  trade  at  Priaman, 
and  again  on  the  tenth  he  visited  the  Court  for  that  purpose, 
when  it  was  promised  to  him. 

On  that  day,  the  tenth,  "  at  the  Court,  we  understood 
how  that  about  3  or  4  dales  past  a  nobleman,  for  lookinge 
at  one  of  the  Kinge's  concubynes,  was  judged  by  the  King 
to  have  one  of  his  eyes  puled  out ;  another,  for  wearing  a 
turbaud  extraordinary,  had  a  peece  of  his  skull  cut  awaie". 


TRANSACTIONS    AT    ACHIN.  253 

Fourteenth  Juno.  The  General  went  to  Court,  when  ho 
presented  ''4  murderereSj4  tergetes,  G  Innces"  to  the  King, 
who  in  great  courtesy  received  the  gift,  and  told  the  Gene- 
ral that  on  his  return  to  Eugland  he  would  send  a  present 
to  the  King. 

'^  At  our  comeinge  awaie  from  the  Court,  without  the  gait 
we  see  a  man  lyinge  slayne,  and  was  to  lie  there  till  the 
dogges  had  eaten  his  flesh,  for  comittinge  adultery  with 
another  man's  wiffe/' 

Seventeenth  June.  Captain  Best  presented  the  King 
with  a  model  of  an  English  ship,  "^  in  which  ship  he  took 
great  pleasure,  and  did  accept  of  yt  and  esteeme  yt  more 
then  a  matter  of  greater  worth.  The  letter  was  promised 
within  a  dale  or  to  we,  and  many  promises  of  honor  and 
credit  to  our  General  for  the  fame  of  our  nation". 

The  same  day  news  of  tbe  Globe,  and  of  the  death  of 
Captain  Anthony  Hippon^  was  received. 

Twentieth  June.  The  General  received  the  King's  letter. 
It  was  to  the  effect  that  the  General  might  at  pleasure  found 
a  factory  at  Priaman  or  Tecoe ;  all  his  merchants  and  people 
were  to  be  courteously  received  :  a  bargain  once  made  to 
be  irrevocable :  and  to  have  the  same  weight  in  all  things 
as  the  weight  of  Achiu. 

That  day,  too,  the  King  by  water  proceeded  to  the  castle, 
partly  for  purposes  of  recreation,  and  partly  to  inspect  a 
junk  of  Surat,  which  he  had  confiscated  (making  slaves  of 
her  crew)  for  having  touched  at  Perak,  with  which  place  he 
was  at  enmity. 

Twenty-first  June,  The  General  took  the  King's  letter 
back  to  the  Rassedor,  with  reference  to  the  remission  of 
tributes  and  customs,  in  conformity  with  the  Articles  made 
between  the  King's  uncle  and  Sir  James  Lancaster,  in 
whicli  it  was  agreed  that  the  English  should  be  privileged 

'  Second  in  command,  under  Captain  Floris,  in  the  seventeenth  voy- 
age, 1G11-1G15. 


254  ENTERTAINMENT    OF    THE    KING    OF   ACHIN. 

to  trade  in  any  part  or  port  of  tlae  island  without  paying 
tribute  or  customs  on  goods  sold.  The  Governor  of  Pria- 
man  and  Tecoe  having  ignored  this  agreement  and  levied 
these  dues.  Captain  Best  craved  redress  for  these  wrongs. 
The  King  afterwards  promised  to  grant  this  remission  at 
Priaman  and  Tecoe,  and  at  the  same  time  offered  to  dispose 
to  Captain  Best  of  the  cargo  of  the  confiscated  junk ;  but, 
owing  to  the  conduct  of  the  native  officials,  the  latter  was 
unable  to  take  advantage  of  that  offer. 

Twenty-fourth  June.  The  General  attended  at  Court  for 
despatch  of  business,  when  he  sold  the  King  168  bahars  of 
iron  at  5  tael  the  bahar. 

The  same  day,  the  King's  letter  and  present  were  brought 
"  to  our  house  by  a  nobleman  riding  upon  an  ollephant, 
accompanied  with  other  towe  of  the  Kiuge's  chiefe  nobles, 
with  musick  plaieing  before  them  alongst  the  streetes,  as 
ther  customes  is  in  such  affaires  which  concernes  the  Kinge. 
The  present  was  a  rich  creast  of  pure  gold,  set  with  pretious 
stones,  8  camphor  dishes,  4  peeces  of  fine  stuffe,  a  launce 
enameld  with  gould.  At  the  receipt  of  this  present  and 
letter  for  our  King,  our  Generall  did  present  the  3  nobles 
with  some  fyne  calico.'' 

"  Twenty-sixth  June.  Our  General  went  to  the  Court 
accordinge  to  the  Kinge's  desire  unto  him  the  daie  before, 
where  we  see  the  Kinge  in  most  royall  estait  comeinge  unto 
his  church  in  most  rich  array,  accompanied  with  his  nobles 
and  chief  of  his  kingdome  :  from  the  church  retourned  unto 
a  gi'ene  before  his  pallace  gait,  wher  he  did  sit  in  a  rich 
chaire  of  state  of  pure  gold  :  his  nobles  standinge  before 
him  was  called  one  by  one  in  ther  degrees  to  take  ther 
places,  which  was  done  by  great  obeysance  in  bowing  downe 
ther  bodies  to  the  grownd  and  holdinge  upp  of  ther  handes 
above  ther  heades.  In  the  midest  of  the  nobles  our  General 
was  called;  and  all  the  rest  of  the  forraine  and  strange 
ambassadores,  as  the  honor  of  ther  Kinge  and  countrey  did 


ELEPHANT    AND    RAJF    FIGHTS.  255 

deserve.  After  all  the  nobles  wei'e  seatted,  infei'ioui'cs  took 
tlier  places.  The  Kinge's  guard  was  200  great  ollephantes 
compassing  the  place  where  he  sat,  a  multitude  of  people 
expecting  the  fighting  of  ollephantes^  which  are  the  greatest 
and  strongest  beastes  in  the  world,  haveing  teeth  a  yard 
and  a  half  longe.  The  feight  of  the  tame  ollephantes  Avere 
both  fierce  and  furious,  but  the  wild  ones  did  far  exceed 
them,  for  before  they  could  be  gotten  together  they  rane 
amongst  the  houses,  and  (with)  vehement  force  of  there 
teeth  and  trounke  did  pull  them  downe,  but  being  once 
met  they  maid  a  most  furious  feight,  and  did  gore  and 
wound  one  another  with  ther  teeth  most  cruellie;  growinge 
weak,  the  King  caused  them  to  be  parted.  After  them 
came  in  great  rames,  which  allso  maid  a  good  feight. 
Ther  was  much  sport  to  be  seene ;  but  growing  lait,  the 
Kinge  did  pretermit  the  rest.  The  sportes  being  ended,  all 
the  nobles  in  ther  degree  rose  upp  and  came  before  the 
Kinge,  kissed  his  handes,  and  so  with  low  obeysaunce 
going  backwardes  from  his  presence  ;  the  King  sat  still  till 
they  all  had  done  in  forme  aforesaid,  and  then  he  himself 
rose  upp  and  took  ollephant  and  repaired  to  his  pallace  in 
great  pomp." 

Twenty-eighth  June.  The  General  proceeded  to  Court, 
when  the  King  told  him  that  on  that  day  he  could  hold 
no  conference,  as  his  army  had  returned  from  Joar,^ 
bringing  back  the  King  of  that  place  as  a  prisoner,  and 
that  many  of  his  nobles  were  assembled  to  confer  upon 
matters  of  state.  Thereupon,  the  General  withdrew.  The 
victory  was  celebrated  with  great  solemnity  in  both  country 
and  city.  The  fleet  consisted  of  100  frigates  and  galleys, 
some  with  ordnance,  some  without,  and  the  army  of  20,000 
soldiers.  A  Flemish  ship,  which  had  been  at  Joar,  on  the 
approach  of  the  army  had  put  to  sea,  but  her  captain,  witli 
some  twenty  of  the  merchants  and  mariners,  who  had  been 

>  Johore. 


256  THE    KING    Ob'   ACHIN    IN    STATE. 

on  shoare,  were  taken  prisoners,  and  others  of  her  crew 
were  slain.  Captain  Best  called  on  the  Fleming  to  encourage 
him,  and  heai'd  from  him  of  Sir  Henry  Middleton  having 
been  at  Bantam,  and  of  the  death  of  most  of  his  merchants 
and  men;  further,  he  heard  of  the  Salomon,  that  the 
Hector  and  Thomas  were  bound  for  England,  and  Captain 
Saris  in  the  Clove  for  Japan,  but  no  tidings  could  he  ob- 
tain of  the  James,  which  made  him  uneasy  about  that 
vessel's  safety. 

Second  July.  The  General  being  sent  for  by  the  King, 
"  we  met  his  Majesty  in  most  i-oiall  state  in  the  waie  to  the 
church  with  great  solemnitie.  He  had  for  his  guard,  (who) 
went  before  him,  200  great  ollephantes,  2000  small  shot, 
2000  pikes,  200  launces,  100  bowmen,  20  naked  swordes  of 
pure  gould  carried  before  him;  20  fencers  went  before  him, 
plaiinge  with  swordes  and  tergettes ;  a  horse  leed  before 
him,  covered  with  beaten  gould,  the  bridle  set  with 
stones ;  at  his  sadle-crutch  a  shafte  of  arrowes,  the  quiver 
of  beaten  gould  set  with  pretious  stones.  Before  him 
went  his  towe  sons,  of  8  or  9  years  ould,  arayed  with 
jewelles  and  rich  stones.  His  Majestie  rode  upon  an  olle- 
phant,  his  sadle  of  pure  gold,  his  slave  behynd  him  in 
rich  arraye,  with  his  betel  boxe,  and  a  fan  of  pure  gold 
in  his  hand  to  keepe  the  flies  from  the  Kinge.  The 
Kinge's  robes  were  so  rich  that  I  cannot  well  describe 
them ;  he  had  a  turband  upon  his  head  set  with  jewelles 
and  pretious  stones  invalluable  ;  creast  and  sword  of  pure 
S'old,  the  skaberd  set  with  stones.  Before  him  went  au 
ollephant,  with  a  chaire  of  state  covered  all  with  beaten 
silver,  that,  if  yt  should  chaunce  to  rayne,  he  might  change 
ollephantes.  This  ollephant  had  casses  made  of  pure  gold 
to  put  upon  his  teeth.  From  the  church  he  retourned  to  a 
place  of  pleasure  prepared  for  his  entertaynement,  where 
his  Majestie  beinge  seated,  all  his  nobles,  according  to  their 
custome,  was  called  ;  and  all  forreyn  embassadores,  as  the 


CKUEL    PUNISHMENTS    AT    ACHIN.  257 

f\^inc  of  tlier  couuti'cy  did  deserve,  were  seated  amon<rst 
the  uobles.  Which  beiug  done,  we  see  the  feighting  of 
wild  and  tame  oUephantes,  buffolos,  and  rames.  Thes 
pleasures  being  past,  all  the  nobles,  in  great  obedience, 
saluted  his  Majestie  at  his  rising  up,  and  did  accompany 
him  to  his  pallace,  where  we  left  him  to  his  coucubynes." 

On  this  day,  too,  the  Siamese  Ambassador  departed  from 
Achin,  leaving  behind  him  Fen,  whose  pardon  he  had 
obtained.  This  Fen,  shortly  before  the  vessels  sailed, 
entreated  the  General  to  grant  him  a  passage  to  England, 
which  request  Captain  Best  promised  to  accede  to  if  Fen 
would  agree  to  work  the  passage  home.  The  latter  promised 
to  do  so,  and  then  asked  for  money  to  pa}^  his  debts.  The 
General  declined  to  make  any  such  advance,  but  added  that 
if  Fen  could  find  his  way  on  board,  the  conditions  would 
still  be  open  for  his  acceptance. 

Fifth  July.  "  At  our  retourue  from  the  Court,  we  see  a 
man  executed  for  some  offence  in  the  wax^res.  He  was  first 
laid  upon  the  ground  upon  his  back,  and  both  his  eyes 
pulled  out,  and  after  a  stake  was  drove  in  at  his  fundement, 
through  all  his  bodie,  and  out  at  the  crowne  of  his  head, 
and  being  dead  his  corpes  were  burned.  Another  souldier, 
the  daie  before,  had  his  eyes  puld  out,  his  bodie  cloven  in 
tow  peeces,  and  then  burned  with  a  doge  in  his  bellie. 
Another  was  boyled  in  oille  this  daie,  which  was  as  cruell  a 
toi'tuer  as  the  other.  These  men  had  comitted  some  offence 
in  the  wars  wherby  some  prejudice  had  happened." 

"  The  Generall  of  the  Army,  for  his  welcome,  because  he 
did  not  bring  the  ould  King  of  Joar,  who  was  an  ould  de- 
creped  man,  and  had  assigned  his  kingdome  to  his  son, 
was  by  the  King  forced  to  eat  a  platter  of  turdes,  and  after- 
wardes  to  wash  his  bodie  in  them,  to  the  Kinge's  great  in- 
famie  and  dishonour,  for  so  base  a  thing  to  be  published 
amongst  forreyuers  and  strangers.  AUthough  this  seeme 
strange,  yett  yt  is  trew^  as  God  is  in  heaven," 

s 


258  DEPARTURE  FROM  ACHIN. 

Seventh  July.  The  General  at  last  received  the  Kinge's 
letter  for  Priamau  and  Tecoo,  but  the  King  did  not  keep 
his  promise  to  remit  the  customs. 

Three  days  later,  a  seaman,  who  had  run  away,  was  found 
at  "  the  Poi'tingailles  house",  and  brought  back  to  the 
Dragon. 

At  an  interview  with  the  King,  the  General  offered  him  a 
fair  piece  of  ordnance,  if  he  would  release  four  of  the  Guze- 
rats,  vizt.,  the  master  and  his  son  and  the  two  pilots.  As 
the  King  would  only  do  so  upon  payment  of  a  large  sum, 
Captain  Best  took  his  leave,  "  havinge  found  him  allwaies 
reedie  to  promise  much,  and,  in  the  end,  to  performe  litle. 
But  his  basenes  hath  not  onelie  bene  evident  to  his  owne 
subjectes,  but  allso  unto  us  in  not  performeinge  what 
formerlie  he  had  promised  unto  our  General.  He  diverse 
tymes  shewed  us  his  glorie,  but  never  his  loialltie,  nor 
fidellitie,  and  therefoi-e  we  will  leave  him  to  that  infidellitie 
he  doth  profess." 

Eleventh  July.  "  Our  General,  hasteninge  busines,  sent 
abord  4  or  5  slaves,  bought  here  at  4  or  5  taille.''^ 

Fourteenth  July.  The  General  having  finished  all  his 
business,  "  we  sett  saille  furth  of  the  Rood  of  Achin, 
haveinge  bene  here  3  mounthes  and  2  daies,  in  which  tyme 
we  have  lost  furth  of  both  shipes  25  men.  Our  General 
bought  and  entertayned  here  about  25,  or  thereabout,  In- 
deans  for  to  suplie  the  want  of  our  men  deceased,  and  of 
Nathaniell  Fen  left  behind  at  Achin.-" 

"  The  Qualitie  of  Money  and  Weight  at  Achin." 

"  Yowe  have  a  great  weight  called  a  bahai',  which  doth 
conteyne  SSD^^'^-  English :  yowe  have  allso  a  small  weight 
called  a  cattee,  which  maikes  2"^^-  English.^  Yowe  have 
gould  :    ther    coynes    called    masses,    at    9d.    the    peece : 

>  A  baliar  at  Achin  is  equal  to  200  cattis,  or  423  lbs.  8  oz. 


CUSTOMS    AT   ACIIIN.  259 

and  5  goes  for  a  peece  of  8  :  yowe  liavo  also  lead  money, 
of  wliich  1000  maikes  a  masse,  called  casse  :  tlier  also  doth 
harres  go  currant  at  9ds.  the  peece,  and  o  to  a  peece  of  8 ; 
sometimes  they  go  at  a  higher  rate.  This  money  is  cui'ant 
all  the  ludes  over,  and  much  profit  gotten  by  the  exchange 
of  them." 

''This  Island  of  Sumatra,  alliis  called  Ophir,  from  whence 
Sallomon  had  his  gould,  as  the  Scriptures  in  divers  places 
maikes  mention.  They  do  professe  Mahamat's  Lawe,  as 
for  the  most  part  of  Asia  and  Africa  doth.  They  have 
no  church  nor  churchyard,  but  buries  ther  dead  in  the 
corner  of  streetes.  This  Citie  of  Achin  lieth  within  G  de- 
grees of  the  Equanoctiall  lyne,  which  maikes  yt  so  exceed- 
inge  hot,  yet  the  people  countynually  goeth  bare-headed 
and  bare-footed,  and  so  doth  the  Kinge  and  all  his  nobles 
and  chief  of  the  land.  Thes  people  are  great  swimmers  and 
divers  in  genorall,  women  as  well  as  men  :  they  teach  ther 
children  thes  arts  in  ther  infancie,  so  they  become  verie 
exquisite  in  ther  perfect  aige  :  this  swimming  they  hould  to 
be  a  great  preservacon  of  ther  health,  for  which  cause  they 
dailie  exercise  yt  as  the  custome  of  eatinge  and  drinking. 
This  island  (is)  vei'ie  rich,  and  pleutie  of  fruit,  yet  the 
comon  sort  of  people  lives  upon  an  erbe  called  Beetle,  by 
which  they  fynd  great  sustenance,  so  that  this  aforesaid 
herbe  and  tobacco  is  ther  ordinarie  food  both  to  men  and 
women.  The  Kinge  hath  one  loyall  wife,  whose  child  doth 
posesse  the  crowne  :  he  hath  also  threskore  concubynes ; 
for  where  he  heres  of  a  proper  woman,  eyther  in  citie  or 
countree,  he  sendeth  for  hir  to  the  Court ;  allthoughe  she 
bee  maried  she  must  come,  and  if  hir  husband  seeme  un- 
willinge  or  loath  to  part  from  hir,  then  he  presentlie  com- 
aundes  hir  husbande's  member  to  be  cutt  of,  and  oftentymes 
worse  punishments.  If  the  Kinge  have  more  sones  then 
one,  when  he  dies  they  are  all  put  to  death,  save  the  eldest, 
or  conveyed  furth  of  the  kingdome  into  some  other  coun- 

s2 


260  AT    TECOE    AND    PRIAMAN. 

tree,  because  they  shall  not  contend  for  the  crowne  after  the 
Kinge's  death.  If  a  subject  die  without  heire  male,  his 
goodes  and  landes  falles  to  the  Kinge,  and  the  wife  with  hir 
daughters  go  begge.  Many  nations  have  trade  for  this 
island,  more  for  the  comoditties  yt  affordes  then  the  affabil- 
litie  of  the  people,  for  they  are  both  inhumayne  and  base, 
and  much  unworthie  to  inhabite  so  svf'eet  a  countree." 

From  the  twenty-fifth  of  July  to  the  end  of  the  month, 
the  weather  was  very  bad,  with  much  wind,  rain,  and 
lightning.  "  Divers  of  the  Dragon's  men  and  ours  fell 
sick  by  intemperat  and  corupted  aire.''' 

The  master  of  the  Hoseander  shaped  his  course  for  Tecoe, 
by  the  "  directions  of  Capt.  Keelinge  and  Daves,  ther 
jourualles";,  and  anchored  in  the  road  of  that  island  on  the 
Seventh  of  August. 

The  Governor  of  the  Island  sent  off  two  officei's  to  en- 
quire whether  the  General  had  their  King's  letter,  which 
was  then  shown  to  them.  They  then  spake  of  the  death  of 
Sir  Henry  Middleton  at  Bantam.  On  the  following  day, 
Captain  Best,  upon  landing,  was  received  by  the  chiefs,  to 
whom  he  presented  the  letter.  Having  read  the  letter,  the 
chiefs  assured  the  General  that  he  was  free  to  trade  where 
he  pleased  at  reasonable  prices ;  and  that  they  would  in- 
form the  Governor  of  Priaman  of  the  letter,  as  it  concerned 
him.  Captain  Best  thereupon  offered  to  convey  their 
messengers  to  that  island  in  his  smaller  ship.  At  the  close 
of  the  interview,  the  General  was  invited  to  visit  the  city, 
but  declined  on  the  ground  of  the  great  heat. 

At  Tecoe  the  merchants  found,  upon  landing,  that  the 
price  of  pepper  was  IG  to  18  rials  the  bahar,  but  no  price 
fixed  as  a  certainty. 

Twelfth  August.  The  Hoseander  was  despatched  by  the 
General  to  Priaman,  where  she  arrived  ou  the  following  day. 
The  Governor  of  that  Island  was  ''much  discontented"  that 
the  vessels  had  not   touched  there,   beiug  the    chief   port 


STORMY    VOYAGE    TO    BANTAM.  261 

of  those  parts,  previous  to  going  to  Tecoe,  and  because  the 
King's  letter  was  directed  to  him.  When  M''  Oliver, 
merchant  of  the  Hoseander,  had  presented  the  royal  letter, 
the  Governor  assured  him  that  he  was  piivileged  to  trade 
there.  M'"  Oliver  having  enquired  if  the  people  of  Priaman 
would  carry  their  pepper  to  Tecoe,  the  Governor  replied 
that  in  former  times  the  people  of  Tccoe  had  brought 
pepper  to  Priaman,  but  that  his  people  had  never  can-ied 
any  to  Tecoe,  and  never  would  do  so ;  and  if  the  General 
wished  to  send  a  ship  to  Priaman,  they  would  within  two 
months  have  their  pepper,  about  2000  bahars,  ready  either 
to  sell  for  rialls,  or  to  truck  for  calico.  The  price  of  such 
pepper  to  be  the  same  as  that  purchased  at  'J'ecoe,  and 
the  pepper  to  be  delivered  at  the  seaside  in  the  place  where 
Captain  Keeling  and  others  had  received  their  purchases. 

This  business  being  concluded,  the  Hoseander  returned 
to  Tecoe. 

Having  at  Tecoe  received  some  stores  from  the  Dragon, 
and  exchanged  some  of  her  lading,  the  Hoseander  was  on 
the  twenty-first  of  August  despatched  by  the  General  on  a 
voj^age  to  Bantam. 

"Twenty-sixth  August.  Being  in  3  degrees  or  theraboutes 
to  the  southward  of  Priaman,  in  our  vaige  to  Bantam,  we 
had  most  cruell  and  fearfull  wether  by  thuuderinge,  light- 
ninge,  and  raine  for  many  dales  together,  but  especiallie 
one  night  and  a  dale.  I  male  truelie  saie  that  the  greatest 
cannon  in  all  the  world,  when  it  was  fired,  did  never  roare 
as  the  thunder  heere  did,  with  lightning  and  raine  in  such 
aboundance  as  I  never  in  ray  life  heard  the  like :  and  I  do 
furder  think  that  in  England  yt  never  rayned  so  much  in  6 
dales  as  here  yt  did  in  24  houres.  It  was  both  wonderfull 
and  miraculous  to  behold,  and  did  justlie  verifie  the  sayiuge 
of  that  worthie  Profit  David  in  his  107  Psalme,  where  yt  is 
said,  that  they  that  go  downe  to  the  sea  in  shipes  and 
occupie  by  great  waters,  those  men  doth  see  the  wouuders 


262  VOYAGE    TO    BANTAM. 

of  the  Lord.  And  God  of  his  mercie  graunt  that  we  all 
that  heai'd  and  see  thes  wounders  and  workes  of  the  Lord 
maie  to  his  2"lorie  maik  use  of  the  31  verse  of  the  same 
Paalme." 

Twenty-ninth  August,,  1613.  "This  daie  by  extremitie  of 
wether^  we  splitt  our  maine  topesaile,  and  this  night  sunk 
our  skiffe  at  the  shipp  sterne.''^  [Here  the  journal  concludes 
abruptly.]^ 

>  The  original  manuscript  consists  of  67j  folio  pages.  At  the  Reverse 
of  the  Journal  the  Wills  of  Robert  Heal,  OUver  Judson,  and  Robert 
Portman,  are  entered.  Also  there  are  entries,  each  of  a  few  lines  on  a 
page,  of  various  debts  to  be  paid  by  different  members  of  the  crew  upon 
the  return  of  the  vessel  to  England.  These  entries,  and  the  Index  to 
them,  are  scattered  over  sixty-one  pages. 


A    CALENDAR 

or  THE 

SHIPS'  JOUENALS    PRESERVED    IN   THE   INDIA 

OFFICE! 

(written  within  the  seventeenth  centuky). 


1.  An  abstract  from  the  Journal  of  the  third  voyage  under 

Captains  Keeling  and  Hawkins^  1607.  (See  page 
108.) 

2.  Another  abstract  of  the  third  voyage.     (See  page  111.) 

3.  A  third  abstract  of  the  third  voyage.     (See  page  113.) 

4.  The  voyage  of   Captain   Sharpeigh,  being    the    fourth 

voyagCj  1608.     (See  page  120.) 
Another  account  of  the  fourth  voyage^  commanded  by 
Captain  Sharpeigh.     (See  page  126.) 

5.  Journal  of  the  Master  of  the  "  Peppercorn"^  1610  to 

1611.  (See  page  115.) 

6.  Journal    of    Thomas    Love,    a    master^s    mate    in    the 

"  Trade's  Increase^^,  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  1010  to 

1612.  (See  page  147.) 

7.  Journal  of  Nicholas  Downton,  second  in  command  of 

the  fleet  under  Sir  Henry  Middleton,  1610  to  1613. 
Original  manuscript  comprises  214  pages.  (See 
page  151.) 

8.  Instructions  to  Lawrence  Femell.     (See  page  131.) 
Commission  to  Sir  Henry  Middleton.     (See  page  137.) 

9.  This  manuscript  is  a  translation  of  the  Journal  kept  by 

Peter  Williamson  Floris^  a  Dutchman  in  the  service 

•  The  uuinbers  are  those  on  the  backs  of  the  volumes  iu  the  India 
Office. 


264  CALENDAR    OP    SHIPs'  JOURNALS 

of  tlie  East  India  Company^  who  commanded  the 
"  Globe^''  on  the  seventh  voyage  set  forth  by  the 
Company.  The  journal  begins  Jan.  5th,  1611,  and 
ceases  abruptly  on  Feb.  17th,  1615.  It  contains  an 
account  of  the  trade  carried  on  along  the  Coast  of 
Coromandel,  at  Bantam,  Siam,  and  Batavia,  with  a 
slight  sketch  of  the  history  of  the  kingdom  of  Siam, 
and  an  account  of  a  revolt  of  Javanese  slaves,  by 
whom  part  of  the  town  of  Batavia  was  burnt  while 
the  "  Globe^'  was  lying  in  the  roads.  The  original 
manuscript  contains  142i  pages. 

After  trading  at  Masulipatam  on  the  Coromandel 
coast,  Floi'is  proceeded  to  Bantam,  and  thence  to 
Batavia,  at  which  place  his  colleague  Captain  Hippon 
died.  He  was  succeeded  by  Thomas  Easington. 
10.  This  manuscript  was  written  by  Thomas  Best,  the 
General  of  the  tenth  voyage.  [The  8th^  and  9th  are 
missing  from  the  India  Office.]  Best's  Journal  em- 
braces a  period  of  2h  years,  1612-13.  He  gives  a 
brief  account  of  the  events  which  happened  at 
Swally,  of  the  treaty  of  commerce  made  with  the 
Governors  of  Surat  and  Ahmedabad,  which  was  after- 
wards ratified  by  the  Mogul,  of  his  fight  with  four 
Portuguese  ships,  his  reception  at  Achiu,  his  visit  to 
Teko  and  Bantam,  the  voyage  home,  and  a  descrip- 
tion of  St.  Helena.  The  courses,  winds,  variations, 
latitude  and  longitude  (the  latter  generally  from  the 
meridians  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  or  of  Bantam) 
are  entered  for  each  day,  and  there  is  frequent  men- 

1  The  eighth  voyage  was  that  commanded  by  Cajitain  Saris  (1611), 
■who  went  to  Japan.  The  manuscript,  through  gross  carelessness,  was 
allowed  to  disappear.  It  was  purchased  some  years  ago  from  JNlr.  Kers- 
lake,  a  bookseller  at  Bristol,  and  is  now  in  the  Topographical  Depot  of 
the  War  Office.  The  ninth  voyage  was  that  commanded  by  Edmund 
Marlowe  (Kill). 


PRESERVED    IN    THE    INDIA    OFFICE.  265 

tiou  of  sonudings  and  currents.  After  leaving  St. 
Helena,  more  than  half  the  ship's  company  was 
attacked  by  scurvy,  and  two  died,  though  there  was 
plenty  of  bread,  wine,  beef,  rice,  oil,  vinegar,  and 
sugar.  The  original  manuscript  contains  46  folio 
pages. 

11.  This  manuscript,  of  60  folio  pages,  contains  extracts  from 

seven  different  logs,  issued  "by  way  of  instructions". 
The  first  and  fourth  extracts  refer  to  the  voyage  of 
the  "  Dragon'^  and  "  Hoseander".  The  second  ex- 
tract, taken  from  Captain  Best's  Journal,  contains 
directions  for -a  voyage  to  Socotra  and  Diu.  The 
third  is  from  a  journal  kept  in  Captain  Keeling's 
fleet  in  1615.  The  fifth  is  a  copy  of  sailing  directions 
for  a  voyage  to  the  East  Indies  and  Bantam.  The 
sixth  has  reference  only  to  soundings  in  the  English 
Channel.  The  seventh  is  taken  from  the  journal  of 
Alexander  Childe,  Captain  of  the  "James''.  It  con- 
tains an  account  of  the  destruction  of  a  Portuguese 
carrack  off  the  Island  of  Mohila,  and  of  Captain 
Childe's  voyage  from  Svvally  to  Jask  in  Persia,  and 
back. 

12.  Journal  of  the  tenth  voyage  kept  by  Ralphe  Crosse, 

the  purser  on  board  the  "Hoseander".  The  fleet 
sailed  from  Gravesend  on  the  3rd  of  February  1612. 
The  manuscript  consists  of  67-^  folio  pages.  (ISee 
page  228.) 

13.  This  is  a  Journal  kept  by  Edward  Dodsworth,  merchant, 

who  was  in  the  second  Joint  Stock  Voyage  (161-4-15) 
under  Captain  Keeling.  It  contains  an  accouut  of 
the  vexatious  conduct  of  Muhrab  Khan,  the  Gover- 
nor of  Surat,  of  Dodsworth's  journey  to  Ahmedabad 
to  buy  indigo,  and  of  the  return  in  the  "Hope". 
He  mentions  meeting  Crosse  and  his  companions, 
left  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  to  explore.  The 
original  manuscript  contains  54  folio  pages. 


266  CALENDAR    OF    SHIPS'  JOURNALS 

14.  Journal    of    Jolm     Monden.    master's    mate    of    the 

*' Hector'^  wliicli  sailed  from  Gravesend  on  the  28th 
of  February  1614^  in  company  with  the  ''  Hope^' 
and  the  "  Salomon".  They  anchored  off  Swally  in 
October  1614^  and  returned  in  June  1617.  The 
manuscript  consists  of  53  folio  pages,  and  is  merely 
a  log  in  tabular  form. 

15.  An  original  manuscript  of  15|  pages,  consisting  of  the 

log  of  a  voyage  to  Surat  in  1614,  and  another  of  3$ 
pages,  being  a  letter  written  from  Surat  to  some  one 
in  England,  dated  February  27th,  1615.  It  describes 
an  attempt  by  the  Portuguese  Viceroy  to  destroy  the 
Company's  vessels. 

16.  The  Journal  of  Edmund  Sayer,   from  December  7th, 

1615,  to  October  22nd,  1616.  Sayer  was  with  Cap- 
tain Adams  on  board  the  junk  "  Sea  Adventure^^ 
which  sailed  from  Firando  in  Japan,  and  arrived  in 
Siam  on  January  9th,  1616.  From  that  time  until 
February  26th,  Sayer  was  engaged  in  negotiations 
for  obtaining  lading  for  the  junk.  In  June  1616  he 
left  Bangkok  on  his  return  voyage  to  Japan.  This 
manuscript  consists  of  35i  pages.  Another  of  four 
pages  contains  a  list  of  articles  given  as  presents  in 
Siam.  Further  entries  of  values  of  articles  bought 
and  sold  extend  over  five  pages  ;  and  there  is  also 
part  of  the  log  of  a  voyage  from  Cochin  China  in 
July  1617,  2h  pages. 

17.  This  book  contains  Journals  of  two  voyages,  the  one 

from  Batavia  to  Japan,  the  other  from  Firando  to 
Bantam,  in  1616  :  both  are  daily  records  of  the 
courses,  winds,  and  latitude,  ]2i  and  13J  pages. 
There  are  also  25  pages  of  notes  of  soundings  taken 
when  approaching  Bantam,  on  the  islands  to  the 
west  of  Borneo,  and  of  soundings  between  Pulo 
Condor  and  Cambodia,  with  outlines  in  pencil  of 
several  islands. 


PRESERVED    IN    THE    INDIA    OFFICE.  2G7 

IS.  The  Journal  of  John  Borden,  from  April  161G  to  June 
1617,  on  board  the  ^' Clove'',  which  sailed  from  Eng-- 
land  in  company  with  the  "  Defence",  and  anchored 
in  Bantam  Eoads  on  December  29th,  1615,  return- 
ing to  the  Downs  in  June  1617.  The  log  consists 
of  29|-  pages.  On  the  cover  there  is  an  indenture 
of  a  lease,  dated  8  July,  1608,  of  a  piece  of  void 
ground  by  Wajoping  Wall,  granted  to  John  Browne 
of  Limehouse  (mariner),  by  Edward  Chandler  of 
Wapping  (shipwright). 

19.  This  is  another  Journal  of  Edmund  Sayer,  a  merchant 

on  board  the  "  good  junk  of  Captain  Addamses", 
which  sailed  from  Firando  for  Cochin  China  in  March 
1617.  Adams  and  Sayer  went  to  Cochin  China  to 
learn  the  fate  of  two  Englishmen,  who,  three  years 
before,  had  been  sent  with  letters  to  the  King  of 
Cochin  China,  and  who,  it  was  reported,  had  been 
killed.  They  also  wished  to  obtain  liberty  to  trade  and 
to  found  a  factory.  They  were  told  that  the  men, 
named  Peacocke  and  Carwarden,^  had  been  accident- 
ally drowned.  Sayer  obtained  silk  and  other  lading', 
and  sailed  for  Japan  on  July  1st,  1617.  The  Journal 
is  comprised  in  15|  pages.  A  list  of  wood  and  hides 
delivered  out  of  the  "  Sea  Adventure",  and  notes  of 
the  receipt  of  copper  and  of  cash  extend  over  nine 
pages  ;  and  there  are  3|  pages  of  a  journal  kept  by 
Sayer  at  Firando,  from  August  1618  to  January 
1619,  in  the  absence  of  Captain  Cocks  and  Mr. 
Nealson  at  Miako. 

20.  Journal  of  Captain  Robert  Adams  from  March  1617  to 

December  161 8,  in  the  Seventh  Joint  Stock  Voyage. 
The  fleet  consisted  of  the  ''James  Royal'',  with 
Captain  Martin  Pringle  as  chief  commander  of  the 

'  See  Calendar  of  State  Papers^  Colonial  (East  Indies)^  1G17-21,  No. 
277. 


268  CALKNDAR    OF    SHIPS'  JOURNALS 

voyage;  the  "Ann  Royal'^;^  the  "New  Yeai-'s  Gift"; 
the  "  BulP',  in  which  Adams  was  master ;  and  the 
"Bee",  a  pinnace.  They  went  to  Swally,  and  the 
"Bull'^  returned  home  in  December  1618.  The 
manuscript  consists  of  29|  pages. 

21.  The  Journal   of  John  Rowe,  in  the  "  Expedition''^  to 

which  vessel  he  was  appointed  by  the  "  Lorde 
Ambassador"  in  1618,  to  go  from  Surat  to  Jask. 
He  recommends  Gomberoon  as  a  better  place  for  the 
English  trade  than  Jask.  The  Journal,  consisting  of 
^i  P^g6S,  gives  a  brief  account  of  the  voyage  to 
Jask,  and  of  the  return  voyage  to  Swally. 

22.  The  Journal  of  Richard  Bragge,  master's  mate  on  board 

the  "  Moon",  bound  for  Bantam,  from  July  to  No- 
vember 1618.   The  manuscript  consists  of  five  pages. 

23.  The  Journal  of  Henry  Crosby,  master's  mate  on   board 

the  "Charles",  from  1618  to  1624;  the  other  vessels 
of  the  fleet  being  the  "Ruby",  the  "Diamond",  the 
"  Palsgrave",  the  "  Elizabeth",  and  the  "  Hope". 
Crosby  served  afterwards  in  a  joint  fleet  of  English 
and  Dutch  to  intercept  the  Portuguese  shipping. 
He  gives  winds,  courses,  latitudes,  and  longitudes,  by 
dead  reckoning.  The  manuscript  consists  of  53^ 
pages. 

24.  The    Journal    of    Archibald    Jennison,    on    board    the 

"London",  commanded  by  Captain  Andrew  Shillinge, 
from  1620  to  1622.  The  fleet  consisted  of  the 
"  London",  the  "  Hart",  and  the  "  Roebuck".  Jen- 
nison was  at  Surat  and  Jask.  His  journal  consists 
of  37^  pages. 

>  William  Baffin,  tlxe  Arctic  Navigator,  was  master's  mate  of  the 
"  Ann  Royal",  and  on  October  1st,  1619,  the  Comjiany  granted  him  a 
gratuity  for  his  pains  and  "good  art"  in  drawing  out  certain  plots  of 
the  coast  of  Pei-sia  and  the  Red  Sea.  On  his  return,  he  joined  the 
"  London",  Captain  Shilling,  as  master. 


PEESEEVED    IN    THE    INDIA    OFFICE.  2C9 

25.  The  Journal  of  Captuia  Richard  Swan  of  tho  ''  Roe- 
buck" (;300  tons),  from  1G20  to  1G22.  This  was  ouo 
of  tho  ships  of  Captain  Shilling's  fleet.  Captain 
Swan  describes  his  voyage  to  Surat,  his  fight  with 
Portuguese  ships  off  Jask,  the  attempt  to  reach  tho 
Red  Sea  before  the  change  of  the  monsoon,  his 
wintering  at  Massera,^  and  the  homeward  voyage. 
It  contains  G8  pages.  The  commander  of  the  voy- 
age. Captain  Shilling,  was  mortally  wounded  in  the 
sea-fight  with  the  Portuguese,  and  was  succeeded 
by  Captain  Richard  Blith  of  the  ''  Hart''  (500  tons). 
Captain  Shilling  was  buried  on  shore  at  Jask.^ 

2C.  The  Journal  of  Captain  Richard  Swanley,  on  board  the 
*' Exchange",  from  1620  to  1624.  Swanley  served 
under  Captain  Fitzherbert.  The  ^'Exchange"  sailed 
with  the  "Roebuck",  ''Hart'',  and  "Eagle";  but 
soon  afterwards  parted  company  with  them.  Swanley 
records  an  earthquake  at  sea,  in  latitude  6°  50'  S. 
"Our  men  that  were  below  came  ruuninge  upp  alofte 
crieing  out,  '  Lord  have  mercie  upon  us,  what  shall 
wee  doe?'  I  being  present  upon  the  deck,  answeared, 
'  Braile  upp  the  maine  saile  and  mizeu  !'  and  hove 
the  leade  presentlie,  and  had  no  ground."  The 
"Exchange"  was  in  the  combined  English  and 
Dutch  fleet,  on  the  coast  of  Mozambique,  and  her 

1  Masu'ali,  an  island  thirty-four  miles  long,  off  the  coast  of  Arabia, 
from  which  it  is  distant  nine  miles.     The  island  is  quite  barren. 

2  See  Calendar  of  State  Papers  (East  India),  748-758.  William 
Baffin,  the  great  Arctic  Navigator,  was  in  this  voyage  as  master  of  the 
"London".  He  was  present  at  a  consultation  touching  the  outward 
passage  of  the  fleet  (824)  ;  and  at  another  on  board  the  "  Ijondou"  in 
Soldania  Bay,  on  July  20th,  1620,  as  to  whether  it  would  be  better  to 
go  within  or  without  St.  Lawrence  or  Madagascar  (852).  Purchas  thus 
describes  the  death  of  Baffin  : — "  In  the  Indies  he  dyed  in  the  late 
Orraus  businesse,  slain  in  fight  with  a  shot,  as  he  was  trying  his  mathe- 
matical! pi'ojocts  and  conclusions." 


270  CALENDAR    OP    SHIPS'  JOURNALS 

cruise  in  tlie  east  extended  over  four  years  and  a 
half.  The  writing  is  in  jDarts  much  faded — 112 
pages. 

27.  The  Journal  of  John  Wood.     He  was  in  the  fleet  con- 

sisting of  the  ''  Anne''  (700  tons),  Walter  Bonnet, 
chief  commander;  the  '^  Lesser  James'^  (500  tons), 
of  which  John  Wood  was  master;  and  the  ''Fortune", 
of  200  tons,  Eobert  Burgess,  master ;  with  two 
small  vessels  to  be  employed  in  making  discoveries 
about  the  Cape,  the  "Eose"  (100  tons),  John  Jonsou, 
and  the  "Richard''  (20  tons),  Robert  Dame.  They 
sailed  on  January  14th,  1021,  and  the  Journal  ends 
in  May  of  the  same  year.  It  is  in  tabular  form,  and 
records  the  navigation  from  England  to  the  Cape, 
14|  pages.  He  touched  at  Cape  Verde  and  Sierra 
Leone. 

28.  The  Journal  of  Richard  Swanley,  on  board  the  ''Jonas", 

which  sailed  in  company  with  the  "  Whale",  "  Dol- 
phin'', and  "  Lion",  in  March  1621.  The  "  Jonas" 
returned  home  in  July  1623.  The  Journal  is  merely 
a  tabular  log,  covering  91  pages. 

29.  This    manuscript    contains    parts    of    the   logs    of   the 

"Palsgrave",  "Bull",  and  "Anne  Royal",  from 
November  1621  to  September  1622.  The  writer 
was  on  board  the  "Moon".  These  ships,  in  company 
with  four  Dutch  vessels,  sailed  from  Firando  to 
cruise  off  Manilla.  The  first  part  is  comprised  in 
22  pages,  the  part  of  the  "  Bull's"  Journal  5^ 
and  the  "Anne  Royal's"  \\  pages.  Three  frag- 
ments. 

30.  Log  of  the  "  Elizabeth".     A  voyage  from   Batavia  to 

Achin  in  1623.      18i  pages. 

31.  A  Journal  of  John  Bickley's  voyage  into  the  Bast  Indies 

in  1622,  he  being  commander  of   the  "  Hart",  set 


PRESERVED    IN    THE    INDIA    OFFICE.  271 

forth  by  William  Halladaye,^  Alderman  and  Governor 
of  the  East  India  Company.  The  '^  Hart'^  wont  to 
Batavia,  thence  to  the  coast  of  Coromandel,  and  back 
to  Batavia,  returning  home  in  October  162-i.  A 
manuscript  of  98  pages. 

32.  (lost.) 

33.  (lost.) 

34.  The  Journal  of  Richard  Monck,  from  the  Downes   to 

Surat  in  the  ship  "  Great  Thames",  in  company  with 
the  "  Jonas",  "  Starre",  "  Eagle",  and  two  small 
pinnaces,  the  ''  Spie"  and  "  Scout",  from  1624  to 
1626.  On  the  right-hand  pages  are  tabular  forms, 
giving  date,  course,  distance,  latitude,  departure, 
longitude,  variation,  and  winds  ;  remarks  on  the  left 
hand.     A  manuscript  of  42  pages. 

35.  The  Journal  of  Robert  Fox,  from  the  Dowues  to  Surat, 

in  the  "  Royal  James^^,  Captain  John  Weddell,  and 
the  '^  James",  "Jonas",  "  Starre",  "  Eagle",  and  two 
pinnaces,  "  Spie"  and  "  Scout".     1624.     49  pages. 

36.  Journal    of    William    Maynor,    master's    mate    of    the 

"Eagle".     1624.     86  pages. 

37.  Journal  of  John  Vian,  in  the  "  Discovery",  from  1616  to 

1628.  The  fleet  was  composed  of  the  "  William^ '^ 
"  Blessing",  "  Discovery",  and  ''  Christopher",  with 
six  Dutch  ships  in  company.  Yian  was  a  master's 
mate.     The  manuscript  consists  of  91  pages. 

38.  Journals  of  David  Davies,  John  Wyne,  Thomas  Wehnan, 

and  Henry  Richards,  master's  mates  of  the  "  Dis- 
covery", and  of  William  Slade,  the  purser.  110 
pages. 

39.  Master  Andrew  Warden's   Journal  in  the  "  William". 

1626  to  1628.     105  pages. 

40.  A  Journall  or  Note  of  Remembrances  from  England  to 

1  On  July  4th,   1621,  Mr.  Halladaye  was   elected   to   succeed   Sir 
Tkomas  Smith  as  Governor  of  the  East  India  Company. 


272  CALENDAR    OP    SHIPs'  JOURNALS 

Cape  Bonsprans,  by  me,  Abraham  Sayers,  in  the 
good  ship  called  the  "  Hopewell";  outwards^  and  iu 
the  "  Stai-r",  homewards.     1626.     85  pages. 

41.  The  Journal  of  John  Pashley  in  the  "  Hart",  1626;  con- 

veying the  Persian  Ambassador^  to  Gombroon.  102 
pages. 

42.  The  Journal  of  Howard  Austin,  master's  mate  in  the 

"Hart'^j  during  the  voyage  to  Surat  from  1626  to 
1629.     93  pages. 

43.  The  Journal  of  Peter  Andrewes,  master's  mate  of  the 

"  Mary",  ''  Hart",  and  "  HopewelF',  successivelyj 
from  1627  to  1629.     74  pages. 

44.  The    Journal    of   Daniel    Hall,    master's    mate    of   the 

"Hopewell",  in  1627.     37  pages. 

45.  The  Journal  of  John  Grant  in  the  "  Maiy  Royall",  from 

Bantam  to  England  in  1629.     21  pages. 

46.  A  Journal  kept  by  John  Vian,  from  England  to  India 

and  Persia,  and  back  in  the  "  Discovery",  Captain 
John  Biskall.     1629  to  1631.     85  pages. 

47.  (Lost.) 

48.  The  Journal  of  Nicholas  Prin  to  Surat,  iu  the  "Charles", 

1629.  The  "  Charles",  "  Discovery",  "Reformation", 
"  London",  and  "  Samuel",  sailed  together.  35 
pages. 

49.  The  Journal  of  Nicholas  Sharpe,  master's  mate  of  the 

"Charles",  1629  to  1630. 

50.  The  Journal  of  George  Marriatt,  master's  mate  iu  the 

"  William",  1629.     A  mere  tabulated  log. 

51.  A  Journal  kept  by  me,  Andrew  Warden,  from  Douvar 

Rode  to  the  Easte  Eniges,  in  the  shijD  "  Blessinge", 
which  God  preserve.     1629. 

52.  A  Remembrance  from  the  Bays  of  Poulambia  to  Suratt, 

August   to  November  1631  ;    Surat    to    Gombroon, 

'  Sir  Robert  Shcrley  and  his  Circiissiaii  wife.     The  Eiighsh  Euvoy, 
Sir  Dodmore  Cottou,  with  Thoinus  Herbert,  was  in  the  "  liose". 


PRESERVED    IN    THE    INDIA    OFFICE.  273 

January  to  Februaiy  1632  ;  Gombroon  to  Sui-at^  and 
Surat  homewards. 

53.  Kichard  Fordor's  Journal  in  the  "  Palsgrave",  1632. 

54.  ''  A  Journal  kept  by  me,  William  Sperc",  1632. 

55.  John    Muckrell's   Journal    in    the   "  Coaster'^    and    the 

"Jewelr^  1633  to  1637. 

56.  WilHam  Bayley's  Journal    in   the   ''Mary",   1635.     A 

very  full  record,  but  much  decayed. 

57.  A  Continuation  of  the  China  voyage  by  Captain  Wed- 

dell's  fleet,  1637. 

58.  James  Birkedell's  Journal   of  the  ship   ''  London"    to 

Surat  and  Gombroon,  1639  to  1640. 

59.  "  A  Journall  of  this  my  second  voyage  in  the  '  Hopewell* 

to  the  coast  of  Coromandell  and  other  parts  of  the 
East  Indies  and  South  Seas,  being  in  all  my  eighth 
voyage  to  those  parts,  for  which  the  Lord  let  me 
never  forget  to  give  thanks  and  praise  and  bless  thy 
holy  name,  1 641."  A  relation  of  a  voyage  to  Macao 
in  China,  from  Surat,  in  the  ship  "  Hinde",  William 
Broadbent,  1644.     The  Supercargo's  account,  1645. 

60.  Richard  Mathew^s  Journall,  begun  in  April  from  Surat 

to  China ;  with  sketches  of  coasts  and  promontories, 
1644. 

61.  "  In  the  name  of  God,  a  Journall  or  Day  Booke  kept  by 

mee,  Antonio  Fenn,  master's  mate  of  the  '  Eagle', 
Thomas  Stevens,  commander,  of  observations  and 
dayes  works  and  keeping  of  the  shipps  way  of  navi- 
gation from  England  to  India,  having  in  our  com- 
pany the  'Falcon'  and  'Lannarett'.     1644." 

62.  A  Journall  of  a  Voyadge   to  East  India  in  ye  shipp 

"  Concorde",  Capt°  Roger  Kilvert,  commander. 
Ralph  Hodgkines,  his  booke.     1659  to  1660. 

63.  Journal  and  Log  from  Bantam  homewards,  1661. 

64.  A  Jornall  beegon   and  kept  by  me,   Edward  ISTewell, 

master's  mate  of  y°  ship  "  London",  bound  to  Ban- 

T 


274  CALENDAR    OF    SHIPS'  JOURNALS 

tam,  1661,  with  a  bill  of  all  the  men  that  proceed  the 
voyage. 

65.  A  Journall  keept  by  William  Basse  in  y^  good  ship 

"  London",  belonging  unto  y^  Hon^'®  East  India 
Company;  in  a  Voyaige  to  India.  God  Allmighty 
dereckte  us  and  steare  our  course  in  the  year  1672. 

66.  A  Journall  kept  by  me,  John   Stead,  of  an  intended 

voyadge  from  Madras  towards  Bantam,  in  y^  ship 
"Triplekaine",  her  first  voyadge  in  1675.  Also  from 
Bantam  to  Madras,  and  from  Madras  to  England  in 
y«  «  Suratt''. 
Q7.  Journall  of  a  passadge  from  Bantam  to  China  in  the 
"  Flying  Eagle^',  in  1678 ;  with  instructions  for 
sailing  from  Batavia  to  Piscadore  ;  also,  from  Bantam 
to  Siam  and  Tonquin,  1680. 

68.  Journal  of  Captain  Jonathan  Hide  in  the  "  President", 

1679  to  1681. 

69.  fLostJ 

70.  A  Journal   of  a  voyage  from  England  to  Bantam  and 

back,  by  Captain  John  Bowers.  This  is  a  very 
meagre  log.     1681. 

71.  Journal  in  the   ship  "Carolina",  1682   to  1683,  John 

Harding,  commander. 

72.  Voyage  to  Bombay  and   Surat,  1683  to   1684,  in  the 

"  Massingberd'*,  Captain  Joseph  Haddock. 

73.  (Lost. J 

74.  Journal  in  the  "  Sampson",  Captain  E,  Ledger,  1684, 

to  Surat  and  Gombroon.  Kept  by  Abraham  Mar- 
toll,  master's  mate. 

75.  Journel  kept  by  William  Perse,  in  this  my  ninth  voy- 

age to  India,  begun  in  September  1686,  on  board 
the  "  Bengali  Merchant". 

76.  (Lost.J 

77.  Journal  of  Captain  W.  Heath,  in  the  ship  "  Defence'', 

on  a  voyage  to  Fort  St.  George  and  Bencoolen. 


PBESEKVED    TN    THE    INDIA    OmCE. 


97  r^ 


78.  fLosf.J 

79.  Nathaniel  Ball,  liis  book,     1G88.    Oui'  westward  voj'ago 

to  look  out  for  ships  expected  home  by  the  IIoiioi'- 
able  East  India  Company,  in  the  '^John  and  RachGir\ 
Robert  Cox,  captain. 

80.  A^oyage   to  Fort  St.   George   and  Bengal,  in  the  ship 

"  Chandos'^;  a  journal  kept  by  John  Bonnell. 

81.  A  fragment  much  damaged  by  rats  and  damp.     A  jour- 

nal from  Bengal  to  Foi't  St.  George.  By  Captain 
John  Willson.     1G93. 

82.  A  Journal  by  Captain  John  Lloyd,  in  the  ship  "Nassau", 

bound  for  Surat  and  Persia.     1674  to  1695. 

83.  Journal  of    the    ship   "  Benjamin",  from   St.  Jago  to- 

wards Surat. 

84.  Voyage  of  the  ship  "  Bull'',  belonging  to  the  king  of 

Bantam,  to  Malacca  and  Madi'as.     1696. 

85.  Journal  of  the  voyage  of  the  frigate  "  Russell"  to  India, 

in  1695. 

86.  fLostJ 

87.  Journal  of  the  voyage  of  the   ship  "  Chambers",  Cap- 

tain T.  South,  to  India,  in  1695. 

88.  Journel  of  remarkable  occurrences  in  the  ship  "  Charles 

II",  kept  by  John  Dorrill,  commander,  from  England 
to  India  and  back.     1695  to  1698. 

89.  Journel  of  the  ship  "  Sidney",  from  the  Thames  to  Ben- 

gal, kept  by  AVilHam  Gilford,  commander.  1695  to 
1698. 

90.  Journal  of  the  ship  "  Sampson"  to  Madras  and  Bengal, 

kept  by  William  Erie,  commander,  from  1696  to 
1698.  [He  speaks  of  ''  the  bay  which  the  Dutch 
call  Table  Bay,  and  some  Englishmen  erroneously 
Saldania  Bay".] 

91.  Journal    of    the    ship    "Madras",    Captain    Benjamin 

Prickman,  kept  by  Zachary  Touc}",  second  mate,  on  a 
voyage  to  Madras,  in  1682. 

T  2 


276  CALENDAR    OF    SHIPS    JOUENALS 

92.  A  voyage  to  Madras.  A  badly  kept  log.   No  ship  men- 

tioned.    1696. 

93.  Another   copy    of  Benjamin    Prickman's   log,  in    the 

^^  Madras".     1696. 

94.  A  carelessly  kept  and  incomplete  log,  kept  on  board 

the  ship  ''Amity'^  on  the  coast  of  Sumatra,  in  1697. 

95.  A  meagre  and  incomplete  log  of  the   voyage  of  the 

ship  '^  Thomas",  to  India,  in  1698. 

96.  (Lost.) 

97.  Journal  of   the  ship  "Josiah"  to  Bengal,  by   Captain 

Stratton.     1698  to  1700. 

98.  Journal  of  the  voyage  of  the  ship  '*■  Fleet  Friggott", 

kept  by  John  Merry,  commander.  She  was  280 
tons,  22  guns,  and  57  men.  The  voyage  was  to 
Batavia  and  Amoy,  in  China. 

99.  (Lost.) 

100.  Journal    of    the    voyage    of    the    "Loudon",    Captain 

George  Matthew,  from  1689  to  1701,  to  the  Hugly. 
On  February  19th,  1700,  the  President,  Sir  Edward 
Littleton,  put  on  board  his  despatches  in  the  Hugly. 

101.  Journal  of  a   voyage   to  Fort  St.  George  in  the  ship 

"  Neptune",  1699,  by  John  Lesly. 

102.  Account   of  the  voyage  of  the  ship  "  Hampshire",  to 

Cadiz,  and  thence  to  Bombay.     1699. 

103.  Invoice  of  goods  on  board  the  "'Macclesfield"  galley. 

Captain  John  Kerle,  bound  for  China  or  India  for 
account  of  the  Hou'^^''  East  India  Company  (£25,036), 
Captain  Kerle  (£400).  A  Journal  of  the  voyage  by 
Robert  Douglas,  supercargo,  to  Canton.     1699. 

104.  Journal  of  a  voyage  in   the   ship  "  Antelope",  Henry 

Hammond,  commander,  1699.     Much  worm-eaten. 

105.  A  Journal  kept  on  board  the  ship  "  Belfast",  Captain 

John  Hudson,  by  Robert  Hudson,  on  a  voyage  to 
Surat  in  1699. 

106.  (Lost.) 


PKESERVED    IN    THE    INDIA    OFFICE. 


277 


107.  (Lost) 

108.  (Lost.) 

109.  Journal  of  a  voyag-e  to  Borneo  in  the  ship  ''Julia",  by 

Charles  Coatsworth.     lo99. 

110.  The  ship  '' TrumbalF',  sailing  in  y^  Channel  to  Cadiz, 

Java,   Batavia,   Amoy,    Borneo,    Chusan,  and  home. 
1699  to  1702. 

111.  Journal  of  a  voyage  in  the  "  King  William",  Captain 

Braddyk,  bound  to  Madras.     3  699  to  1701.     Kept 
by  W.  Goodfellow. 

112.  A  journal  of  a  voyage  in  the  "King  William".     Much 

damaged  by  damp. 

113.  (Lost.) 

ll-l.  A  voyage  in  the  "Trumball"  galley,  to  Borneo,  com- 
mander Henry  Duffield.     1699. 

115.  A  Journal  of  the  voyage  of  the  ship  ''Anna"  to  Ben- 
gal.    1699  to  1701.1 


1  This  finishes  the  logs  in  the  seventeenth  century.  The  first  log 
•with  a  printed  form  and  headings  is  No.  130 ;  the  voyage  of  the 
"  Samuel  and  Anna",  Captain  Reddell,  1702  to  1703. 


H. 


K. 

F. 

C. 

W. 

Obser- 
vations. 

Diff. 
Lat. 

Dep. 

Lat. 
Ace. 

Mer. 
Dist. 

Long. 
Ace. 


JOURNAL 
THE   VOYAGE    OF    JOHN    KNIGHT 

TO   SBEK 

THE    NORTH-WEST    PASSAGE/ 

1606. 


0  my  most  gracious  and  merciful!  God,  I  do  acknowledge  that 
I  most  myghtly  offended  thee. 

The  Journall  of  John  Knight  after  he  went  from  the  Orcades  or 

Orkney,  on    the   northe   parte  of  Scotland,  the    12th  of 

May,  1606,  to  seeke  out  the  passage  by  the  nor- 

west  betweene  Gronland  and  America.  ^ 


'  The  manuscript  of  this  Journal  has  escaped  destruction,  and  is  pre- 
served in  the  India  Office. 

'  On  another  piece  of  paper,  pasted  on  the  back  : — 

"East  India  Companie. 

"1606. 

"  12  May,  1606,  from  Orkney  or  Orcades,  to  seeke  the 

Nortli-AVest   Passage   between   Gronland   and 

America,  in  the  shipp. 

"No.  19." 

See  Threshold  of  the  Unlnown  Region  (4th  Edition),  p.  132  (note). 


THE    JOUEXAL    OF    THE    VOYAGE    OF    CAPTAIN 

JOHN    KNIGHT  1   TO    SEEK    THE    NOETH- 

WEST    PASSAGE,   I6O6.2 


Monday,  the  12th  May,  I  set  saile  from  St.  Margaret's 
Sound  in  Orkney  being  9  aclock  in  the  morninge  our 
course  West  and  be  South,  and  at  8  o'clock  at  nyght  the  ^2°May' 
hill  called  Hoys  bore  west  sotherly  11  or  12  leags  and  the 
Stack  S  and  by  Est  esterly  :  3  leags  and  |  the  winde  being 
at  Est  South  est. 

Tuesday  the  13th  beinge  for  the  most  part  callme  and 
somtymes  a  freshe  gale  of  wind  our  course  west  and  be 
southe  I  a  point  southerly.  This  day  I  came  by  2  small 
Hands,  the  one  of  them  called  the  Cleat,  and  the  other  is 

>  Purchas  adds  "  which  had  been  at  Greenland  once  before  1605  : 
Captain  of  a  piunasse  of  the  King  of  Denmarke." 

«  Purchas  (iii,  p.  827,  lib.  iv,  cap.  xvi)  gives  extracts  from  this 
Journal,  and  thirteen  lines  at  the  beginning,  which  have  been  lost  from 
the  manuscript,  as  follows  :-:— 

"1  set  sayle  from  Gravesend  in  a  barke  of  40  tunnes,  called  the 
Hoi^ewell,  April  18,  1606,  victualled  and  manned  at  the  cost  of  the 
Worshippfull  Companies  of  Muscovie,  and  the  East  India  merchants, 
for  the  discoverie  of  the  N.-W.  Passage ;  and  arrived  the  26  of  the  same 
month  in  the  Isle  of  Orkney,  in  a  Sound  called  Pentlefrith.  Here  we 
were  stayed  with  contrary  winds  at  W.  and  N.W.,  and  with  much 
storme  and  foule  weather,  about  a  fortnight.  In  which  mean  space  I 
entertained  two  men  of  this  country,  which  are  both  lustie  fellows  at 
sea  and  land,  and  are  well  acquainted  with  all  the  harbours  of  these 
north  parts  of  Scotland.  These  men  brought  us  into  a  very  good  har- 
boiu-  called  Saint  Margaret's  Hope,  where  we  had  the  sea  open  to  us  for 
all  winds  that  are  good  for  us  to  proceed  on  our  voyage.  In  this  country 
we  find  little  worthie  of  relation.  For  it  is  poore,  and  hath  no  wood 
growing  upon  it.  Their  corne  is  barley  and  oates.  Their  fire  is  turffe ; 
their  houses  are  low  and  unseemly  without,  and  as  homely  within." 


282  VOTfAGE    OP    CAPTAIN    JOHN    KNIGHT 

ff^^^'  called  tlie  RumJ  They  are  distant  4  leages  asunder.  The 
course  betweene  them  is  S.W.  and  N.Est.  The  Sothern- 
most  is  called  the  Cleat,  and  is  the  lesser  of  the  twayne.  It 
is  distant  from  the  North-Est  part  of  the  Lewis  called  the 
Blinghed-  7  leages  and  the  course  betwixt  them  is  north- 
west and  south- est.  Also  this  Blinghed  is  from  the  Farro 
hed  of  the  Heeland  of  Scotland  west  and  be  north  |  a 
pointe  westerly  and  is  distant  17  leages.  Also  the  course 
between  Blinghed  and  the  norwest  of  the  Lewis  is  west 
and  be  south  a  point  westerly ;  and  fayre  lowe  land  smooth 
w*^out  wood.  Ther  is  good  ridinge  all  alongst  the  shore  the 
winde  being  off  the  lande,  and  in  some  places  very  good  har- 
bors against  all  winds  :  from  8  to  12  at  nyght  6  legs  west 
S  West. 

Wednesday. — The  morninge  we  had  a  fresh  gale  of  wind 
est  north  est,  our  course  sou-west  and  be  west  2  howers  5 

ednesday,  loagus  from  2  to  10  SW  and  E  by  S  :  20  leagues  from  10 

11  May.  f  n    1 

to  12  west  sou  west  6  leages  ;  lattytud  at  noone  5o  degs. 
27  min.  E.L.  30  min.  0  ampld  55  deg.  from  the  est  to  the 
norwards  the  observation  mad  in  the  morn. 

From  Wednesday  at  noone  tyll  Thursday  at  noone  for  the 
hursday,    most  prt.  rayuc  and  fogg.  The  wind  at  no'^est  and  be  est,  our 

,0  May. 

course  west  ^  a  point  sotherly.  Our  latytud  at  noone  being 
Thursday  58  deg.  23  min. 

From  Thursday  at  noone  15th  tyll  Friday  at  noone  being 
the  16th  our  way  mad  west  sotherly  aboute  20  leagus :  latty- 
tud at  noone  58  degs.  19  min.  This  nyght  the  wind  was 
some  tymes  variable  betwixt  the  south  and  be  west  and 
south  est.  with  fayre  weather,  the  magneticall  declination 
liday,  16.  18  deg.  height  of  the  pole  58  deg.  10  min.  also  in  the 
morning  the  0  being  10  deg.  above  the  horison  was  dis- 
tant from  the  est  to  the  northwards  of  the  est  22  deg. 

From  Fryday  at  noone  tyll  midnyght  lyttle  wind  sotherly 

1  North  Roua :  the  other  North  Barra. 
*  Butt  of  Lewis. 


TO    SEEK    THE    NOETH-WEST    PASSAGE.  283 

and  some  tymcs  callme  :  from  mydnyglit  tyle  12  at  nooue 
the  next  day  a   stife  gale  of  wind  at  est  northest  this  24 
howers  our  way  judged  to  be  made  a  good  west  some  thinge  Saturday 
sotherly  30  leagues.     Latt  at  noone  58  deg.  10  min.  allso 
the  0  did  reise  50  degs.  to  the  no'wards  of  the  est. 

From   Sattu^'day  at  noone  being  the  1  7.  tyll  Sunday  at 
noone  being  the  18th  ou^  course  west  and  be  south  a  stife 
gale  of  wind  esterly.  50  leas,  being  close  wether  noe  obser-  Somuy,  t 
vation  of  the  lattytued. 

From  Sonday  at  noone  being  the  18th  tyll  Monday  at 
noone  the  19th  stood  away  west  and  west  and  be  sowth 
amonffst  havinge  a  storm e  at  est  and  be  north  :  our  course  ^""•^J!'-^' 

o  o  the  19. 

west  and  southerly  50  leag. 

From  Monday  at  noone  being  the  19th  tyll  mydnyght  Tuesday, 
corse  west  and  southerly  and  from  that  tyll  noone  west  and 
be  northe  and  west  amongst.     I  judged  we  sayled  40  leas 
this  24  howers  being  for  the  most  prt.  foggie  :  lattytud  at 
noone  57  deg.  50  min. 

Fi'om  noone  20th  being  Teusday  to  noone  21.  be.  Wedns- 
day  our  course  west  and  be  north  45  leagues  being  foggie 
wether  and  no  observation^  here  we  had  a  current  which  I  ^^'^'gist^^ 
juge  setteth  to  the  northwards. 

From  Wednesday  at  noone  to  thursday  at  noone  beinge 
the  22,  our  course  west  and  be  north  50  leages  with  muche  Thursday, 
fogge  and  close  wether  and  muche  wind  at  no^  est  and  be 
est. 

From  thursday  at  noone  till  midnyght  o'"  course  west  and 
be  north  then  the  wind  northed  we  tooke  in  our  mayne  Friday,  23 
course  it  blowing  very  much  winde  storme  and  rayne.  I 
spooned  away  with  our  fore  sayle  tyll  Friday  the  23rd, 
the  wind  being  at  no^'  no'  est  I  juged  our  course  west  south 
west  the  12  howers  that  I  spooned,  about  15  leagues  and 
sawe  many  gulls,  and  much  rock  weed. 

From  friday  at  noone  tyll  sattorday  at  noone  the  24th  I 
juged  our  way  to  be  made  good  southwest  and  by  west  butt 


284  VOYAGE    OP    CAPTAIN    JOHN    KNIGHT 

prooved  west  and  be  south  rather  westerly  20  leagues  by 

h.e'24^'  reason  of  a  corrent  that  I  juged  setteth  to  the  northwards 
lattytud  at  noone  57  deg.  53  min.  variable  about  a  pointe  to 
the  westwards  this  forenoone  and  all  nyght  the  wind  was  at 
northe  a  very  hard  gale^  we  spooned  with  our  foresayle, 
allso  this  forenoone  we  sawe  much  sea  tange  and  rock  weed. 
From  Sattorday  the  24th  at  noone  tyll  Sunday  at  noone 
being  the  25j  our  course  southed  about  20  leagues  the  wind 

nday,  25.  jjej^g  northerly.  This  day  we  sawe  much  rockweed  and 
drift  wood  lattytud  57  degrees:  varyatyon  to  the  westwards 
13  deg.  thereabouts  the  0  beinge  5  deg.  high  in  the  mo''n- 
inge  was  24  degrees  to  the  northward  of  the  est. 

From  Sonday  at  noone  tyll  2  o'clock  the  next  day  in  the 

mday,  26.  morning  being  Monday  the  26th  of  May  our  course  west 
north  west  our  way  made  west  and  by  north  20  leags 
having  a  fresh  gale  at  southest  and  be  est  then  it  fel  call  me 
tyll  4  aclock  then  it  blew  an  esy  gale  at  west  southwest  we 
stemminge  no^'west  and  between  that  and  no*^  no  est  the 
wind  beinge  variabloj  the  wind  freshed  towards  noone.  This 
morning  we  saw  an  owle. 

From  Monday  at  noone  tyll  12  a  clocke  at  nyght  we  had 
by  the  wind  westerly  I  judged   our  way   made  8  leagues 

wsday,  north  then  it  was  callme  tyll  4.  The  next  morning  being 
teusday  the  27  then  it  blewe  an  esy  gale  sotherly  till  noone 
our  way  I  judged  west  and  be  north  5  leagues.  This  morning 
we  sawe  many  files  and  rockweed  also  I  observed  the  0 
beinge  43  deg.  20  min.  above  the  horison  the  0  being  42 
deg.  20  min.  to  the  southard  of  the  west. 

From  tewsday  at  noone  tyll  4  o'clock  it  was  calme  then  it 

the  fs!^^'  blewe  a  fresh  gale  esterly  our  course  west  and  be  north  tyll 
sonsett  then  I  observed  the  0  ampletud  and  found  it  to 
sett  29  deg.  to  the  westward  of  the  northe.  This  nyght  and 
all  day  we  had  very  black  water.  We  contynewed  the  sotherly 
course  tyll  2  aclock  the  next  moruinge  being  Wednesday 
the  28th.     The  sea  water  seemed  brownishe  and  as  thik  as 


TO    SEEK    THE    NORTH-WEST    PASSAGE.  285 

pudle.  Then  the  wind  cam  northerly  our  course  for  the 
most  part  west  and  be  north  24  leagues  from  noone  to 
noone  our  way  made  good,  the  lattytud  at  noone  57  deg.  57 
min.  va'".  14^.  This  day  we  had  black  water  and  many 
overfalls  stremleches  and  setts  of  currents,  as  it  seemed  to  wednesda; 

the  28th. 

thr  northwards  and  som  to  the  westward,  the  wind  north- 
erly. I  judged  our  way  to  be  made  from  noone  tyll  midnyght 
]  5  leagues  west  and  be  north  and  from  mydnyght  tyll  noone 
beinge  Wednesday,  the  28. 

From  Wednesday  at  noone  tyll  4  aclock  the  next  mornincr  Thursday, 

J  J  O  29. 

south  west  and  be  north  10  leagues  then  it  began  to  blowe 
a  storm  at  est  southest  our  course  as  before  tyll  noone.  1  6 
leagues  being  close  and  foggie  wether  being  thursday  the 
29th  of  May  1606.^ 

From  thursday  at  noone  tyll  4.  in  the  afternoone  our 
coorse  west  and  be  north  10  leagues  then  we  tooke  in  our 
sayles  and  spooned  with  our  fore  course  tyll  mydnyght  then 
we  made  more  sayle  and  so  contynewed  our  course  tyll 
noone  30  leagues  being  fryday  the  30th  of  May  our  latty- 
tued  found  58  deg.  Here  it  seemed  that  we  were  in  a  tyd- 
gate  which  I  judged  to  sett  north  and  southe,  or  itt  was  the 
eddy  corrent  of  which  we  sawe  yesterdaye,  allso  we  sawe  Fryday,  tt 
Avhite  fowles  which  cheped  lyke  sparrow  haucs,  also  we  sawe 
dryvinge  many  dead  cuttels.^ 

From  fryday  at  noone  tyll  2  o'clock  the  next  morninge.  Itt 
was  calme  then  it  blewe  an  esy  gale  at  est  southest  being 
sattorday  the  31st  of  May.  the  ©  beinge  50  deg.  above  the 
horyzon  I  found  it  to  be  27  deg.  to  the  estward  of  the  Sattorday, 
southe.  Agayne  in  the  afternoone  the  sonn  being  50  deg.  high 
he  was  distant  from  the  south  to  the  westward.  51  deg.  At 
noone  he  was  55  deg.  6  m.:  hight  of  the  pole  58  deg.  3  min.: 
varyatyon  24  deg.  our  waye  this  24  howers  not  above  6  lea- 
gues west,  being  lyttle  wind  for  the  most  prt. 

'  All  this  page  omitted  by  Purchas. 
'  Purchas  has  "dead  cows". 


286  VOYAGE    OP    CAPTAIN   JOHN    KNIGHT 

From  Sattorday  at  noone  tyll  2  aclock  itt  was  calme  then 
nday  the  jt  began  to  blowe  an  esy  gale  at  northe.  At  night  I  observed 
Line,  1606.  ^]jg  0  setting  and  found  it  to  sett  21  deg.  to  the  westward 

of  the  northoj  the   wind   continuing  varyable  betwixt   the 

northe  and  the  west  nOfWest  tyll  noone  beinge  the  first  of 
nday,  the  June.  Then  I  found  us  by  observatyon  to  be  in  the  latty tud 
me,  1606.  Qf  57  ^eg.^  35  jjjIjj^   Qur  waye  judged  from  noone  to  noone 

west  and  be  southe  or  thereabouts  13  leagues, 
lyt  From    Sonday  at   noone  being   whittson  sonday  tyll  10 

aclock  the  same  evening  it  was  calme.  Then  it  began  to  blow 
"I'lay,      a  stife  srale  of  wind  at  south  southest  our  course  west  tyll 

le  2.  «=  •' 

noone.  The  next  day  being  monday  the  2nd  day  23  leagues. 

This  day  we  sawe  many  black  byrds  like  willocks  flyinge  in 

fleets  or  corapanys  together.^ 
wsday,         From  Monday  at  noone  tyll  11  aclock  the  next  day  being 
e  first  Ice  the  3.  of  June  our  course  west  and  be  southe.  Then  we  met 
iwe.         the  fyrst  Ise,^  the  wind  being  at  southe.    Our  way  made  good 

30  leagues.    At  noone  I  met  with  a  mayne  land  of  Ise  that 

forced  me  to  cast  aboute.^ 

From  tewsday  at  noone  tyll  4  aclock  I  stemed  way  est 
.re  ise.      south  est.    Then  I  cast  about  hopinge  to  doble  the  ise  to  the 

Southward  but  before  8  we  fell  with  itt  agayne.    Then  I 

stood  est  till  4  the  next  morninge  then  I  stood  in 
Kinsday,  agayno  with  porpose  to  coste  the  ise  to  the  southwards 
.re  Ice.     hoaping    to   dubel   it  that  way  by  reason  of  the  sotherly 

winds  and  also  I  judged  it  to  be  Ise  di-even  from  the  sother- 

landj  which  lyeth  in  56|  so  I  trended  the  ise  southe  and  be 

west  about  8  leagues.    Lattytud  at  noone  56  deg.  40  min. 

being  wednsday  the  4th  of  June. 

From  wednsday  at  noone  I  costed  the  ise  to  the  south- 
ursday,    ward  bctwixt  the   S.S.W.  and   the  south  tyll.  4.  aclock.  the 

he  5.  _  "^ 

next  morning.   I  had  sayled  in  this  course  aforesayd  by  judg- 

'  Guillemots,  '  Off  Cape  Farewell. 

3  Purchas  omits  much  in  this  page,  especially  the  meutiou  of  meeting 
the  fii-fet  ice. 


TO    SEEK    THE    NOKTH-WEST    PASSAGE.  287 

mcnt.  16  leagues.  Then  the  ise  trended  away  est  southest. 
the  I  cast  aboute  and  at  six  aclock  thei-  seemed  an  Inlet  or 
opening-o  of  the  ise  where  into  I  bore  which  coux'se  for  the 
most  parte  tyll.  8.  Then  it  fell  awaye  more  northerly  our 
course  as  nere  as  we  could  norwest :  latt  at  noon  5G  deg. 
The  O  22i  high,  the  varyation  30  deg.  by  the  instrument 
and  26  degs.  by  the  scale. 

From  thursday  noone  our  course  amongst  the  ise  for  the 
most  part  norwest  about  6  leagues  tyll  5  in  the  afternoone 
then  it  fell  starke  calme  tyll  7.  Then  it  blowe  an  easy  gale 
at  west,  so  I  torned  to  windward  hopinge  to  get  througge  Ffryday, 
betwixt  the  land  and  the  Ise.  At  noone  I  observed  and  found 
us  to  be  in  the  latytud  of  56  deg.  6  min.  being  friday  the 
6th  of  June. 

From  fryday  at  noone  tyll  8  at  nyght  I  plyed  to  the  west- 
wards, in  att  one  gapp  or  strayt  and  owt  at  another,  the 
wind  being  westerly,  fayre  weather.  Then  in  the  morninge 
the  wind  cam  esterly,  then  I  steered  away  betwixt  the  west  sattorday, 
and  the  northe  as  I  kold  for  the  ise  which  lay  very  thick. 
All  the  forenoone  was  very  thick  and  foggie  weather,  tyll 
by  observation  I  found  us  to  be  in  the  latytud  of  56 i,  our  way 
mad  good  this  24  howers  as  nere  as  I  could  Judge  no''vvest, 
being  satorday  the  7th  of  June. 

From   sattorday  at  noone  tyll  souday  at  noone,    being  ise  greatly 
the  8  of  June,  all  this  24  howers  we  were  so  pestred  with  ^^^s"^- 
ise  that  we  wer  twise  so  inclosed  about  with  ise  that  we  were 
fayne  to  take  in  all  our  sayles  and  sett  out  agayne  with  our 
sparrs  and  boat  hooks,  and  sometymes  when  we  got  a  lyttle 
poole  we  rowed  and  somtymes  we  sayled,  and  in  the  end  by 
Gods  guydence  and  ower  great  labor  gott  into  a  place  mor  Somiay, 
clere  where  we  myght  use  sayles.    Here  as  it  seemed  the  ise 
di'ove  to  the  westwards.^ 

From   Sonday  at   noone  tyll  monday  at  noone  I  torned  ise. 

'  Nearly  all  this  page,  with  the  account  of  Knight's  battling  with 
the  ice,  is  omitted  by  Purchas. 


288 


VOYAGE    OF    CAPTAIN    JOHN    KNIGHT 


lonclay, 
tlie  9. 


'verfalles 
and  Cur- 
pants. 


ewsflay, 
the  10. 


:e  trended 
I  way  nor 
Nest. 


''ednsday, 
the  11. 


onne  sett 
&  ryse. 


hursday, 
the  12. 
ho  Ise 
vended 
lor  est. 


from  one  banke  of  ise  to  another  to  the  esstwards,  to  the 
end  to  stand  more  northerly,  hoaping  by  that  means  to  gett 
a  free  sea  to  oost  of  America. 

From  Monday  at  noone  tyll  8  o'clock  it  was  for  the  most 
part  callme.  Then  itt  began  to  blowe  an  easy  gale  sotherly 
and  allso  about  3  aclock  we  fell  into  many  overfalls  or  cur- 
rents which  as  neer  as  I  cold  juge  did  sett  away  sowthe  west. 
About  10  aclock  it  blew  a  stife  gale  of  wind  at  south-south 
westj  our  course  for  the  most  pte  no'  no^  west,  this  nyght 
we  wer  trobbled  with  much  drift  ise,  and  about  5  in  the 
morninge  I  stered  away  no^  west  al  a  longst  a  mayne  banke 
of  ise  tyll  noone^  being  tewsday  the  10th  of  June,  our  latty- 
tud  57  deg.  allso  I  made  accompt  we  had  some  land  to  the 
estward  of  us,  the  wind  beinge  att  southe  southest  clere 
weather. 

From  tewsday  at  noone  I  costed  the  ise  till  7  aclock  nor 
and  be  est  8  legs.  Then  it  trended  no^west  westerly  2  leagues 
being  8  aclock  from  8  to  12.  I  costed  itt  8  legs,  with  a  stife 
gale  of  wind,  then  the  ise  trended  away  nor  nor  est,  and  I 
contynewed  my  course  betwixt  the  no^the  and  the  norest 
and  be  est  tyll  noone,  beinge  the  11th  June  ower  lattytud  at 
noone  58,  and  at  nyght  the  0  did  sett  14  deg.  to  the  west- 
wards of  the  northe,  and  did  rise  50  deg.  to  the  estwards  of 
the  north. ^ 

From  wednsday  at  noone  tyll  2  aclock  our  course  northe 
alongst  the  ise  then  the  ise  seemed  to  trend  away  norest,  and 
agayne  at  this  place  seemed  somewhat  thin  or  skatred.  I  made 
in  with  the  ship  having  a  fayre  gale  of  wind  and  fayre  weather, 
the  wind  being  at  southwest  and  be  southe,  our  course  for 
the  most  prt  west  and  be  southe  bearinge  up  for  one  ise  and 
loofing^  for  another  tyll  thursday  at  noone  beinge  the  12th, 
the  ©  beinge  30  deg.  above  the  horison.  He  was  to  the 
southwards  of  the  est  22  deg.  allso  agayne  he  beinge  42 
deg.  he  was  48.40  to  the  southwards  of  the  est,  so  by 
•  All  this  page  is  omitted  by  Purchas.  -  Luffing. 


TO    SEKK    TlJi:    NORTli-WKST    PASSAGE.  280 

woi'kynge  the  varyatyon  of  the  compas  is  found  to  be  to  the  '^''"^  somie. 
westward  of  the  southe,  having-c  hitytud  58  deg. 

From  thursday  at  noone  our  course  amongst  the  ise  west  Thoy  mored 

•      1  mi         y^  Shi])  to 

tvll   6  aclock,   then   it  blewe  a  hard    ffale  of  winde.     Ihe  antiandof 

Ise. 

ise    beini^    very    thick   about    us    we    tooke   in    our    sailes  Ftryday, 

-1         1        p    •  1  ,     the  13. 

and  mored  to  a  raayne  iland  or  ise^  where  we  remayned 
tyll  4  the  next  morninge,  being  fryday  the  loth  of 
June.  Then  the  ise  seemed  to  be  dispersed  thiuer  by  the 
wind  or  som  other  axident,  then  I  sett  saile  with  our  2 
courses  but  was  forced  to  take  them  in  agayue  and  mored  ''''t®f„"i°i"®'* 
to  another  great  iland  aboute  a  myle  to  the  westward  of 
the  other :  here  setteth  some  small  corrent  to  the  south- 
ward, for  the  great  ise  that  wer  somwhat  deepe  drove  to 
the  southwestward,  and  the  other  small  ise,  which  wer 
flotye  drove  with  the  wind  which  was  varyable  betwixt  the 
nor  west  and  the  northe.  We  were  in  syght  of  land  which 
bore  west.  s.  west   from  us,  shewinge  in  7  pts  lyke  ilands.  The  first 

°  i.  ^  land. 

Our  latytud  at  noone  57  degs.  29  min. 

From  fryday  at  noone  tyll  8  aclock  at  nyght  we  remayned  Mored 
mored  to  the  aforesayd  Ise  then  it  fell  calme,  and  1  losed  and  i*o. 
rew^  to  the  westward  with  our  oares,  hoaping  to  gett  through 
tyll  12  aclock,  then  the  ise  wer  thick.    I  mored  agayue  till 
4  aclock  the  next  moruinge.  Then  we  rowed  and  sayled  and 
with  an  esy  gale  of  wind  tyll  8  aclock  the  next  moruinge, 
beinge  sattorday  the  14th  of  June.    Then  it  began  to  blowe  ^j^g"^']*^' 
a  fresh  gale  esterlye  and  we  cuned  the  ship  with  our  ores 
tyll  noone.    Our  lattytud  was  58  deg. 

From   satordaye  at   noone  tyll  mydnyght  we  gyded  our 
shipp  to  the  westward  amongst  the  ise  with  our  ores,  hoapin 
to  get  through,  butt  we  wer  sodaynly  compassed  about  with  ^^"jj^'^f/' 
manv  g-reat  ilands  of  ise,  and  continewed  sore^  distressed 'I'te  ship 

''    °  greatly 

with  a  sore  storme  of  winde  at  southest,  being  fogie  and   |;™'^''geyg 
thick   wether,  that  we  were  so  crushed  betwixt  myghtye  He'."^^"*  °^ 
gi'cat   Hands  that  we   were  in    danger  every  niinet  to  be 
'  liowed.  -'  rurchas  has  "  so'' instead  of  "sore". 

U 


290  VOYAGE    OP    CAPTAIN    JOHN    KNIGHT 

crushed  in  peeces  with  force  of  the  heaving  and  setting  of 
the  sayd  ise  with  the  great  sea  that  the  wynd  made,  had  nott 
God  of  his  mercy  guyded  for  us,  for  ower^  did  lyttle  avayle 
to  o''  helpe,  thoughe  we  shewed  all  our  industreys  to  the 
uttermost  of  our  powers. 

From  sonday  at  noone  tyll  monday  the  IGth  at  6  in  the 
morninge  we  remayned  as  before^  and  seeing  orselves  in  so 
great  danger  knew  not  how  longe  the  storme  wold  con- 
tinew.  Committing  our  selves  into  the  hands  of  God  we  sett 
or  flu  sayle  and  forced  the  shipp  with  a  sayle  some  ise 
loiiday,      we    drovc  afox'e  us,  and  we  run   betwixt  and  about  tenn 

the  16.  ■' 

dysseiy  in  aclock  WO  fouud  the  ise  skattringe  somethinge  thinn^  then 

ye  Ise. 

I  direckted  my  course   so  nere  as  I  could  west  no"^  west. 

Thus  God  of  his  mercy  guyded  for  us  when  we  looked  for 

nothinge  butt  a  myserable  end,  to  whom  be  all  j^i'ayse  and 

glory  for  ever  more." 

From   monday    at   noone    tyll    tewsday    at     noone,    the 

wind  was  variable  betwixt  the  no'the  and  the  est.  I 
:"ews(iay,     mad  my  waye  good  soe  nere  as  I  cold  to  tbe  west  no  west, 

for  the  Ise  was  somtymes  thicker  than  ever.  At  about 
?heyrship  8  o'clock  at  uyght,  bciuge  very  lyttle  winde,  we  fell 
an  Hand  of  fowle  of  an  Hand  of  ise  which  I  found  very  dorty  and  fowle 

Ise,  they  "  •' 

stepf  a'nd  ^^^^  go^^g  upou  itt  to  fend  off  or  shipp  we  found  the  foot- 
ofrn'onand  iugs  of  mcii  and  chilldren  and  the  footings  of  cattle  as  cows 

cattell  and  ,  _     ,  .  -,  n         ■  mi   ■       i 

dogs.         or  dere  and  the  prints  or  dogs  lootmgs.    ihis  day  was  very 

thick  foggie  weather. 

From  tewsday  at  noone  our  course  as  before  amongst  the 

ise  tyll  4  in  the  aftcrnoone,  then  the  ise  was  so  thick  eucom- 
vednsday,    passed  aboute   us  that   we   cold  nether  rowe   nor  mak  any 

the  18.  -^  .  ,  ,        *' 

10.  fcdam    waye  with  or  sayles  and  there  continewed  tyll  noone,  beinge 
andwhyt    wcdusday  the  18th  of  Juuc  :  beinge  fogie  wether  here  the 

Shell. 

sea  was  so.  smothe,  althoughe  it  blewe  a  very  hard  gale  of 

'  A  word  omitterl.      Purclias   inserts   "  endeavours",   and  otherwise 
alters  Captain  Knight's  woi'ding. 

^  All  this  omitted  by  rurchas,  as  well  as  the  following  sentence. 


TO    SEEK    THK    NORTH-WKST    PASSAGE.  201 

wind,  that  I  cold  persayv^e  no  mosiou  of  tlio  sea.  Then 
sonnded  and  had  ground  at  110  fadom  green  ozi  sand  and  a 
kind  of  whit  shell  amongst. 

From  wednsday  at  noone  tyll  4  aclock  we  contynewed  as  Land  of 

"^  _  America  in 

before  aboute   whych  tyme  we   mad   the   land  of  America  ^^-  dcsres. 

,  .  Thursday, 

wh  ryseth  like  ilands.    The  northernmost  parte  of  it   bore       ^'•^■ 
no''  and  be  west  abowte   15  legs,  from  us.     I  observed  the 
lattytud  and  found  my  sellfe  to  be  in  the  lattytud  of  56  deg. 
4Smin.var25deg.v/est.^  The  land  shewingeas  here  followeth 

This  present  tyme  cam  an  esy  gale  of  wind  sotherly  then  I 
sett  sayle  and  thrust  throughe  the  Ise. 

From  thursday  at  noone  tyll  fryday  at  noone  we  sayled 
and  rowed  what  we  cold  into  the  shore,  the  ise  beinof  some  Ffryriay, 

'  _  °  the  20. 

tyraes  very  thick  and  some  tymes  more  skatti-inge. 

From  fryday  at  noone  tyll  6  aclock  we  had  the  ise  reson-  '''nem-eThe 

able  clere  that  we  cold  mayntayne  a  resonable  saile  so  that  couw'not 

at  6  aclock  I  gott  cloase  into  the   shore   but  I  could  nott 

enter  any  harbor  by  reson  of  a  wonderfull  masse  of    ise  Sattorday, 

choked  them  upp  :  here  I  sounded  and  had  55  fadom  beinge  55  fadam. 

fov.de  ground.       Then  I   costed  the    shore   and    Ise  close 

abord   to   the   norwards   and    sometymes  lay    to    with  our 

niayu  course  tyll  the  next  day  at  noone  beinge  sattorday  the 

21st  June,  and  abte.  8  aclock  at  nyght  I  came  to  an  anchor 

in  18  fad.     (Line  erased. J  is  fadam. 

This  day  we  runn  aground  upon  a  rock  which   lay  under  sattorday, 

21 
water,  butt  by  Gods  helpe  we  gott   off  agayne  w*''^outt  any  Thpyranon 

greater  hurte.     Allso  this  nyght  we  gott  our  shallope  upon  der  water; 

.   ,  they  sptt 

an  islande  with  purpose  to  sett  her  together.     This  day  to-  tbeir  shai- 
wards  night  we  had  a  sore  winde  at  55.  est.  but  before  mid-  ther  upon 

'^  an  Jianu. 

nyght  it  was  calme,  allso  all  this  coste  showeth  like  broken 

^  Near  Naiu,  on  the  coast  of  Labrador.  Probably  about  Port  ]\lan- 
vers  and  Newark  Island.  Barrow  places  the  site  of  Knight's  disaster 
near  Cape  Griiningtou.  On  the  9th  of  the  following  July,  Captain 
Ivnight's  old  comrade,  James  Hall,  sighted  this  coast  in  latitude  58^  30' 
N.,  when  on  his  second  Greenland  voyage. 

u2 


292  VOYAGE    OF    CAPTAIN    JOUN"    KNIGHT. 

Broken        j^^^  yi.  ilands  and  the  tyde  of  flood  cometh  from  the  no""- 

The  Tyde  of  ■] 

fliidfrom    wax  as. 

ivlid?''  Sonday  the  22th  we  road  still  with  fayre  wether^  and  the 

Sonday,  the       . 

22  of  June,  wind  no'therly. 

1606.  "^ 

Monday  the  28rd  in  the  morninge  aboute  one  aclock  the 

wind  began  to  blowe  a  freshe  gale  and  then  drove  a  myghty 

MoTiday,      Hand  of  ise  thwarte   our   halse,  which  we    could  no  ways 

tlie  2.1.  ' 

They  force  shunn  butt  was  forsed  to  let  slip  in  the  halse  and  with  fasts 

ye  Ship  in- 
to a  Cove,   and  cables  to  warpe  into  a  cove  to  save  our  shipp  and  lyves 

where  we  rid  very  dageresly  all  this  daye  and  nyght  fol- 

lowinge.^ 
^thL^^^i'^'         Tewsday  the  24th  all  the  morningo  there  blewe  a  storme 
They  are      northerly,  and  came  in  such  a  sufe.  of  a  sea  and  so  muche 

forced  to 

save  their   |gg  i}i2it  our  fasts   broako  that  wer  fast  a   shore   and  our 

clotlies,fnr- 

vfcSsT*^  rother  was  dreven  from  our  stern  with  the  force  of  myghty 

fiiiV^of^  ^  Ilands  of  Ise,  soe  that  we  were  forced  to  hall  cloase  into  the 

Tew.sday,     bottom  of  the  cove  to  save  our  clothes  fornyture  and  vick- 

tualls.      We  did  or  best,  butt  before  we  had  donn  our  shipp 

was  halfe  full  of  water :  beinge  nyghte  and  weary  we  tooke 

a  lyttle  rest, 
'a'.nound-        Wednesday  the  25th  we  went  to  worke  when  the  ship  was 
Leaks!^^     aground  to  gett   the   water  out  of  the  shipp  and  stopp  so 

many  of  our  leaks  as  we  cold  com  by,  and  to  savinge  of  our 
the2^5.'^*^'  bread  so  much  as  we  cold,  and  som  to  bildiug  our  shallop. 

Also  I  caused  our  boate  to  be   lanched  over  the  iland  and 

'^np'^he'^*   sent  my  mat  Edward  Gorrell  with  3  others  to  seke  for  a 

°^'     better  place  wher  to  bringe  our  ship  a  ground,  if  itt  wer 

possible,  to  mend  her  agayne,  but  they  retorued  without  any 

certanty  by  reason  of  the  abowndance  of  ise  which  choaked 
Tr^^ontiiT"  6very  place.     They  found  wood  growinge  on  the  shor.^ 
8  ore  Thursday  the  26,  beinge  faire  wether. 

'  All  omitted  by  Purclias  from  Friday,  the  20tb. 
*  The  two  last  paragraphs  are  given  in  Purclias. 


DEATH    OF    CAITAIN    KNIGHT.  293 


[POSTSCRIPT.!] 


"  Here  Mr.  Kuiglit  ended  writinge  in  His  Jornallj  and 
this  26  day  of  June  1606  the  said  Knight,  his  mate,^  his 
brother,  and  3  others,  went  into  their  shallop,  and  rowed  to 
an  Hand  about  6  myle  from  their  ship.    Comeug  to  the  iland 

the  said  Knight,  his  mate,  his  brother  and 

went  a  shore,  takinge  with  hym  a  compas  and  other  instru- 
ments, to  take  a  plat  of  the  land  :  also  they  toke  with  them 
swords  daggs  muskets  and  halfe  pykes  to  defend  them  fi^om 
the  euemyes  yf  they  should  meete  with  any.  They  went 
a  shore  about  10  of  the  clocke  in  the  mornenge,  command- 
inge  the  other  2  whom  they  left  in  the  shallop  wherof  the 
trumpeter  was  one,  to  tarry  there  for  them  until  3  aclock  in 
the  afternoon  :  whiche  attendance  they  performed,  and 
stayed  untill  11  aclock  at  nyght  as  they  say,  for  neither  that 
night  nor  at  any  tyme  after,  notwithstanding  they  sent  a 
shore  agayne  and  used  their  best  means  untill  they  were 
assalted  by  the  salvages,  could  they  either  see,  hear,  or 
understand  what  was  become  of  ye  said  Mr.  Knight  or  the 
others  that  went  a  shore  w'^  hym.'^^ 

>  In  a  different  hand,  being  the  same  as  that  of  the  marginal  notes. 

"  Edward  Gorrell. 

'  Purchas  has  a  much  longer  postscript  than  the  one  attached  to 
Knight's  MS.  Journal  (iii,  p.  839).  This  statement  in  Purchas  was 
made  by  Oliver  Brownel,  one  of  the  two  boat-keepers  who  were  left  in 
the  shallop,  when  the  captain  and  the  others  landed.  On  Saturday,  the 
28th,  while  the  crew  were  pumping  out  and  repairing  the  ship,  a  crowd 
of  natives  came  over  a  hill  and  seized  the  boat.  They  were  but  eight 
men  and  a  great  dog ;  but  when  the  natives  saw  them  marching  reso- 
lutely against  them,  the  dog  being  foremost,  they  ran  away.  They 
numl)ered  about  fifty  men.  They  were  very  little  people ;  tawny- 
coloured,  thin  or  no  beards,  and  flat  nosed.  On  the  29th,  the  crew  con- 
tinued the  repairs,  and  on  the  30th  they  got  the  ship  afloat,  but  she  was 
very  leaky  and  without  a  rudder.     On  the  1st  and  2nd  of  July  they 


294  DEATH  OF  CAPTAIN  KNIGHT. 

rowed  up  and  down  among  the  ice.  They  managed  to  constrnct  a 
temporary  rudder,  with  pintels  made  out  of  the  iron  bands  round  the 
captain's  chest ;  and  got  out  of  the  bay.  Next  day  they  cleared  the 
hold,  and  found  many  leaks,  and  one  large  one  abaft  the  forefoot,  which 
they  could  not  stop  from  inboard.  So  they  took  their  main  bonnet, 
basted  it  with  oakum  (thrummed  it),  and  passed  it  over  the  leak  out- 
side. They  were  worn  out  with  watching  and  hard  work.  They  steered 
for  Newfoundland,  and  repaired  the  ship  in  the  bay  of  Fogo ;  receiving 
kind  aid  from  vessels  that  were  fishing  there.  Sailing  on  the  22nd  of 
August,  they  arrived  at  Dartmouth  on  the  24th  of  September,  1606. 
"  The  rest  of  the  journall,  from  the  death  of  Master  John  Knight,  was 
written  by  Oliver  Browne,  one  of  the  Company."  There  is  a  mark  like 
the  beginning  of  an  I  following  the  e  in  Browne,  in  all  the  copies  of 
Purchas. 


A    LIST 

OF 

SHIPS   OF    THE   EAST   INDIA   COMPANY^ 

(EMrLOYED  DURING  THE  SEVENTEENTH  CENTURY). 


BEFEEEirCE. 

Advice  {]  61b)  .  .  .  .C.I. 

Anna  (1699-1701)        .  .  ,  .277 

Anne  Royal    (1617),   900   tons.      Andrew    Shilling, 

master.  Wm.  Baffin,  master's  mate  .  268  (n.) 
„     (1620),  wrecked  near  Gravesend       .  .     0.  ii. 

Antelope  (1699).     Captain  H,  Hammond    .  .       276 

Ascension  (1600),  260  tons.    Captain  William  Brand. 

Lancaster's  first  E.I.C.  voyage     .  57,  58,  126 

„     (1604).     Captain  Roger  Stiles.      Middleton's 

second  E.I.C.  voyage    .  .  .P. 

„      (1608).      Captain  Sharpeigli.      Fourth  E.I.C. 

voyage.     Shipwrecked  .       120,  125,  128 

Attendant  (1614)  .  .  .  .P. 

Bear  (1618).     The  Merchant  Royal's  name  altered  to 

the  Bear,  1619,  sailed  .  .  .    C.  ii. 

„     „     To  be  called  the  White  Bear.    1620,  burnt 

by  the  Dutch  .  .  .     C.  ii. 

Bear's  WJielp,  with  Bear  and  Benjamin.     1596,  sent 

to  China  under  Captain  Wood,  but  never 

returned         .  .  .  .      C.  i. 

'  The  numbers  refer  to  pages  in  the  present  volume,  where  manuscript 
journals  in  the  India  Office  are  mentioned.  C.  i  and  ii  indicate  that 
the  ship  is  mentioned  in  the  first  or  second  volume  of  the  Calendar  of 
State  Papers  (East  India),  and  P  that  it  is  mentioned  in  Purchas. 
Many  of  those  in  the  present  volume  are  also  given  in  Purchas  and  in 
the  Calendars. 


296  LIST    OF    SHIPS    OF 

Bee  (1617).     A  pinnace,  150  tons  .  .       268 

B'dfast  (1699).     Captain  Jolm  Hudson       .  .       276 

Benjamin      .....       275 
Blessing  (1616)  .  .  .  .271 

„     (1629).     Journal  of  Andrew  Warden  .       272 

Ball  (1616),  400  tons.     Captain  Robert  Adams       268,  270 
Carolina  (1682).     Captain  John  Harding  .  .274 

Chambers  (1695).     Captain  T.  South  .  .       275 

CJtandos.     Journal  of  John  Bonn  ell  .  .275 

Charles  (1618).     Journal  of  Heni'y  Crosby  .       268 

„     (1629).     Journal  of  Nicholas  Priu     .  .       272 

Charles  11  (1695).     Captain  John  Dorrill  .  .       275 

Christopher  (1616)         .  .  .  .271 

Claiu  (1620)  .  .  .  .     C.  II. 

Clove  {l&U).    Captain  Saris.    Eighth  E.l.C.       200,  264  (7^) 

,,     (1616).     Journal  of  John  Borden      .  .        267 

Coaster  (1633).     John  Muckrell's  Journal  .       273 

Concord  (1614)  .  .  .  .  P. 

„      (1659),        Captain    Roger     Kilvert.        Ralph 

Hodgkine's  Journal      .  .  .273 

Consejii  (1607),  115  tons.    In  the  third  E.I. C.  voyage       108 

„     „     Captain  David  Middleton  .  .  P. 

„     (1609).     To  be  sold  .  .  .      C.  i. 

Darling  (1610),  90  tons.     In  the  sixth  E.I.C.  voyage      145, 

149,  169,  174,  177,  180,  182,  200,  208,  215,  221 

Defence  {16^  4*).     Journal  of  John  Monden  .       266 

„     (1616)  .  .  .  .P. 

„     (1686).     Captain  W.  Heath  .  .274 

Diamond  (1618).     Built  at  Deptford  .  .       268 

Discovery  {\Qli\).     Journal  of  John  Vian   .  271,272 

Dolphin  (1621).     Journal  of  Richard  Swanley  .       270 

Dragon  (1600),  600   tons.     Lancaster's   ship.     First 

E.I.C.  voyage  .  .  57,  58,  99 

Dragon  (Red)    (1604).       Sir    H.    Middletoii's    shii). 

Second  E.I.C.  voyage  .  .  .P. 


TIIR    EAST    INDIA    COMPAXY.  207 

Dragon  (BcilJ.    Captain  Kceling-'s  ship.    Tliiid  E.I.C. 

voj.age  .  .  .       108,  111,  113 

„     „     On  the  tenth  E.I.C.  voyage.  234,236,213,219,265 
£7^^/e  (1620)  .  .  .  269,271 

,,     (1644).     Captain   Thomas   Stevens.       Journal 

of  Antonio  Fenn  .  .  .273 

Edward  Bonaventure.     Lancaster's  sliip  on  the  first 

voyage  .  .  .  4,  13,  26 

Elizabeth  (1618),  978  tons  .  .  268,  270 

Exchange  (1620j.     Journal  of  Richard  Swanley  .       269 

Expedition  (1609).     Captain  David  Middleton  P.,  C.  i. 

„     (1618).     Journal  of  John  Rowe.    Voyage  from 

Surat  to  Jask  .  .  .       268 

,,     (1612).       Captain     C.    Newport.       Journal    of 

Walter  Payton  .  .  .P. 

Falcon  (1644)  .  .  .  .278 

Fleet  Frigate  {IQ'dQ).     Captain  John  Merry  .       276 

Flying  Eagle  [XblQ).    Voyage  from  Bantam  to  China       274 
Fortune  (1621).     Robert  Burgess,  master  .  .       270 

Gift  (see  New  Year's  Gift). 
Globe  (1610).       Captain    Hippon.       Seventh    E.I.C. 

voyage  ....       253 

God  Speed  {I Q20).     Junk,  of  50  tons  .  .     C.  ii. 

Great  Thames  {1624:).     Journal  of  Richard  Monck     .        271 
Guest  (1600).      A    victualler    in    Laucaster^'s    fleet. 

Abandoned  at  sea  .  .  .  68,  61 

Hampshire  (1699)         .  .  .  .276 

iTar^l620).  Captain  Rd.  Blith.  In  Shilling's  fleet.    268,269 

„     (1622).     Journal  of  John  Bickley     .  .        270 

Hecfor  (1000),  300  tons.    Captain  J.  Middleton.  First 

E.I.C.  voyage  .  .    56,  58,  99,  103 

„       (1604).     Second  E.I.C.  voyage.     Captain  Col- 

thurst  .  .  .  .P. 

„       (1606).     Third  E  I.C.  voyage.     Captain  Haw- 
kins .  .  .        103,109,111 


298  LIST  or  sniPS  op 

Iledor  (1611).      Eighth    E.I.C.    voyage.       Captain 

Towerson.    In  Captain  Saris's  fleet.    200,  210,  217, 

221,  222,  266 
„       (1613).     Second  Joint-Stock  voyage.      Cap- 
tain Downton  .  .  .P. 
,,       (1614).     Sunk  at  Bantam,  careening                .  P. 
Hinde  (1644).     William    Broadbent.     Voyage    from 

Surat  to  Macao  .  .  .273 

Hope  (1618).     Captain  H.  Carnaby.     Journal  of  E. 

Dodsworth    .  .  .       265,  266,  268 

Hopewell  {1627).     Journal  of  Peter  Andrewes  .       272 

„     (1644).     Journal  of  Wm.  Broadbent  .       273 

„     Arctic  ship  (1606)  of  Captain  Knight  281  {n.) 

Hoseancle7'  (1612).      Tenth  EI.C.  voyage.      Journal 

of  Ralph  Crosse.        220,  235,  236,  237,  243,  247, 

249,  251,  260,  261,  265 
Hound  (1618).     Wm.  Gordon,  master.     1619,  taken 

by  the  Dutch  .  .  .     C.  ii. 

James  (1611).      Ninth   E.I.C.    voyage.      Captain  E. 

Marlowe        .  .  .  .216 

James  Royal  (1616).     Rowland  Coytmore,  master     .  P. 

„     (1624).     Journal  of  Robert  Fox        .  267,271 

John  and  Racliel  (1688).  Captain  R.  Cox.  Journal 
of  Nathaniel  Ball.  Relieving  homeward 
bounders        .  .  .  .275 

Jonas  (1621).     Journal  of  Richard  Swanley  270,  271 

Josiah  (1698-1700).     Captain  Stratton       .  .       276 

J-t^Z/a  (1699).    Charles  Coatsworth.  Voyage  to  Borneo       277 
Kempthorne^  (1690). 
lUng  WilUam  .  .  .  .276 

'  Not  from  any  of  the  sources  hitherto  quoted.  But  in  an  old  pocket- 
book  in  the  British  Museum,  belonging  to  Ursula  Lady  Altham,  daughter 
of  Sir  Robert  Markham  of  Sedgebrook  (1691),  there  is  an  entry  to  tlie 
effect  that  her  brother  Robert  died  on  board  the  ship  Kempthnrne,  in 
the  Bay  of  Bengal,  aged  22,  on  August  25th,  1690. 


THE    EAST    INDIA    COMPANY.  299 

Lannarett  (1614).     Consort  of  the  Falcon  .  ,       273 

Lesser  James  (1621).     Jolin  AVood,  master  .       270 

Lion  (1614),    The  ship  iii  which  Sir  J.  Roe  weut  out 

to  India  .  .  .  .P. 

„     (1621)  .  .  .  .270 

London  (1620).    Captain  Shilling.    Journal  of  Archi- 
bald Jemmison  .  .  ,       268 
,,     (1639).     Joui-nal  of  James  Birkedall  ,       273 
„     (1689-1701).     Captain  George  Matthews         .       276 
Macclesfield  (1699).     Captain  John  Kei-le.     Journal 

of  Robert  Douglas         .  .  .       276 

Madras  (1682).    Captain  Benjamin  Prickman.    Jour- 
nal of  Zachary  Toucy    .  .  .       275 
Mary  (1627).     Journal  of  Peter  Andrewes                  .       272 
„         „           AYilliam  Bayley   .                 .  .273 
Massimjberd  (1683).     Captain  Joseph  Haddock         .       273 
Merchant  Royal.    In  Lancaster's  first  voyage  (see  Bear). 
Merchants^  Hope  (1613).    Captain  Nicholas  Emsworth.  P.,C.r. 
Moon  (1618).     Journal  of  Richard  Bragge                   .       268 
„     (1621)                  .                 .                 .                .270 
Nassau  (1693).     Captain  John  Lloyd         .                  .       275 
Neptune  (1699).     Journal  of  John  Lesly    .                  .       276 
New  Year's  Gift  (1614),  800  tons.    Captain  Downton. 

Returned  1616  .  .  P.,  C.  i. 

„     (1617).     In  Captain  Pringle's  fleet   .  .       268 

Osiander  (see  Hoseander). 

PaZ.sY/rafe(1618),  1083  tons.  Captain  Charles  Clevenger       268 
,,        (1621).     Sailed  froiji   Firando,  to    cruise  off 

Manilla  .  .  .  .270 

„        (1632).     Richard  Forder's  Journal  .       273 

Penelope.      Captain    Raymond.       Lancaster's    first 

voyage  .  .  .  .    4,  26 

Peppercorn  (1610).     Captain  Downton.     In  the  sixth 

E.IC.  voyage.  145,  147, 152, 1 53, 166, 168  to  171, 
172,  185,  201,  202,  203,  209, 
216,  221,   222,  226,    227,   263 


300  LIST    OF    SIIH'S    OF 

Peppercorn  (1614).     Captain  Walter  Peyton  .  P. 

„     (1621).     At  Firando  .  .  .     C.  ii. 

President  (1679).     Captain  Jonathan  Hide  .       27-4 

Eeformation  (1629)       .  .  .  .272 

Relief.     Name  given  to  Sir  H.  Middleton's  pinnace 

in  the  sixth  voyage       .  .  .182 

Pichard  (1621),  20  tons.     A  small  vessel  employed 

to  explore  about  the  Cape  .  .       270 

Ruehuck  (1620).     Captain  Richard  Swan.    In  Captain 

Shilling's  fleet  .  .  268,  269 

Rose  (1626).     Took  out  Sir  Ptobert  Sherley,  Sir  Dod- 
more  Cotton,  etc.,  to  Persia. 

Rose.     A  small  vessel  employed  as  the  Richard. 

Roijal  James  (1624).     Captain  John  Weddell.    Jour- 
nal of  Robert  Fox         .  .  .       271 

RahU  (1618)  ....       268 

Russell  (1695).     Frigate  .  .  .       275 

Samaritan  {\Q14;).     Cousort  of  the  TAomas  .  P. 

Samuel.     A  victualler  for  the  sixth  E.I.C.  voyage. 

Sampson  (1619).     Captain  Jourdain.     Taken  by  the 

Dutch  .  .  .  .     C.  II. 

Scout  (1624).     A  small  pinnace  .  .  .       271 

Sea  AdoentureilQVl).    Captain  Adams's  junk.    Jour- 
nal of  Edward  Sayer     .  .  .       267 

Solomon.     Ship  in  the  Pernambuco  voyage  35,  37,  38 

In  the  tenth  E.I.C.  voyage         .  .       228 

Spie  (1624).     A  small  pinnace    .  ,  .       271 

Speedwell  (1614)  .  .  .  .P. 

Starve  (1622)  .  .  .  .     C  ii. 

„      (1624)  .  .  .  .271 

Sun{lQ\l).     Wrecked  in  1619  .  .  .     C.  ii. 

Supply  .  .  .  .  .     C.  II. 

Susan  (1600),  240  tons.     In  Lancaster's  first  E.I.C. 

voyage  .  .  .58,  84,  98 

Swan  (1616).     Captain  Nathaniel  Courthorp  .  P. 


THK    KAST    INDIA    COMPANY.  301 

TJnvnas  (l*;!!).     A  sliip  in  Captain  Saris's  fleet.     200,  205, 

209,216,  221 
„     (1611.).     Journal  of  John  Mihvard     .  .  P. 

„     (1698)  .  .  .  .276 

Thomasine  (1614).     Consort  of  the  T/iomns  .  P. 

Tiger  (1601).    Sir  Edward  Michelborne  &  John  Davis  P. 

Tiger's  Whelp.     Consort  of  the  Tiger. 
Trade's  Increase  (1610),  1000  tons.    Sir  H.  Middleton. 

Sixth  E.T.C.  voyage.    145,147,150,172,209,211,216 
,,     Burnt  by  the  Javans,  after  being  abandoned    .  P. 

Triplecaine  (\Q1b).     Journal  of  John  Stead  .       274 

TrumhaU  (1699  to  1702)  .  .  .277 

TJnicorn  (1617).     Wrecked  in  1620  .  .     C.  ii. 

Union  (1608).     Fourth  E.T.C.  voyage.      Captain  Ed. 

Rowles  .  .  120, 126,  160,  161 

.     C.  II. 
.       270 


JJnity  (1619) 

Whale  (1621) 

White  Bear  (see  Bear) 

William  (1616) 

William  and  Ralph.     Name  changed  to  Starre. 


271 


INDEX. 


Alxl-al-Kuri,  island,  116 

Alicxin,  coast  {see  Abyssinian) 

Abyssinian  coast,  ships  of  the  sixth 
voyage  anchored  off,  176,  182,  184 

Achin,  vi  ;  arrival  of  Lancaster  at,  74  ; 
reception  by  the  king,  75  ;  Queen 
Elizabeth's  letter  to  the  king  of, 
78  ;  negotiation,  79  to  83  ;  the 
King's  letter  and  presents  to  Queen 
Elizabeth,  94  to  97  ;  ships  of  the 
tenth  voyage  at,  248  ;  entertain- 
ments at  250,  254  ;  war  with  Johore, 
251,  253 ;  the  king  in  state,  256  ; 
punishments  at,  257  ;  money  and 
weights,  258  ;  account  of,  259 

Adams,  Captain,  voyage  to  Cochin 
China,  267 

Adams,  Mr.,  the  preacher,  at  Mr. 
Traine's  death-bed  at  Bantam,  218 

Addy,  Mr.  (see  Audely) 

Aden,  Captain  Keelinge  sails  for,  118, 
121  ;  Captain  Sharpeigh  at,  122  ; 
the  "Peppercorn"  at,  146,  148; 
ships  of  sixth  voyage  at,  166  ;  de- 
scription, 166;  blockade  of,  200,  201 

Agoa,  Baia  de,  17 

Agoada  de  San  Bras,  2 

Agoada  de  Saldanha  {see  Saldanha) 

Ahmedabad  (Amedewar?),  240,  241, 
265 

Aldersley,  Mr.,  arrives  at  the  Down  to 
bring  the  "  Peppercorn"  up  the 
Thames,  226 

Aldsworth,  Mr.,  chief  factor  at  Surat, 
233,  245 

Aloe,  at  Socotra,  117,  163,  166 

Amboyna,  219 

Amedevar  (see  Ahmedabad) 

Amity,  E.I.C.  ship,  276 

Andrewes,  Peter,  journal  of  in  E.I.C. 
ship  "  Mary"  272 

Anna,  E.I.C.  ship,  277 

Ann  Royal,  E.I.C.  ship,  268  ;  William 
Baffin  a  master's  mate  in,  268  (w), 
270  ;  Walter  Bennett,  cajjtaiu  of, 
270 

Anne,  Cape,  in  Greenland,  xvii 

Antelope,  E.I.C.  ship,  276 

Autongil,  Bay  of  (Madagascar),  66,  67, 
68,  160 


Antonio,  Don,  pretender  to  the  Portu- 
guese throne,  7 

Arctic  navigators  {see  Davis,  Baffin, 
Hall,  Cunningham,  Knight,  Liu- 
denow,  Waymouth) 

expeditions  despatched  by  the 

East  India  Company,  xvii ;  im- 
portance of,  xxi 

Areta,  capital  of  the  King  of  Rohela, 
179 

Arnold,  surgeon  in  Lancaster's  first 
voyage,  death,  8 

Articles  for  the  tenth  E.  I.  voyage, 
228  to  233 

AsabBay  (or  Margabra),  178,  182, 184, 
203 

Ascension  Isle,  106 

Ascension,  E.I.C.  ship,  in  the  first 
voyage,  iv,  v,  57,  126  ;  Captain 
Brand,  58  ;  on  the  fourth  voyage,  x, 
120  ;  anchored  off  Mocha,  123  ;  lost 
her  anchors  at  Socotra,  125 

Audely,  Mr.  (Addy),  of  Poplar,  in  the 
Pernambuco  voyage,  36,  43,  53 

Austin,  Howard,  his  journal  in  the 
"  Hart",  272 


Bab  el  Mandeb,  200 

Baffin,  William,  xvi ;  in  the  "  Ann 
Royal",  268  {n)  ;  his  death,  269 
(w)  ;  his  calculations  for  longitude, 
xix 

Bagley,  William,  his  journal  in  the 
"Mary",  273 

Bahama  channel,  20 

Baingham,  Nicholas,  a  joiner  belonging 
to  the  "Hector",  at  Surat,  186; 
joins  Sir  H.  Middleton  with  pro- 
visions, 192 

Baker,  John,  death  at  Sana,  176 

Ball,  Nathaniel,  journal  of  a  cruise  for 
homeward-bounders,  275 

Ball's  Rivei-  in  Greenland,  xx 

Banda,  109,  141 

Bangkok,  266 

Banians,  185,  189,  240  {see  Shermall) 

Banning,  Alderman,  set  forth  the  Per- 
nambuco voyage,  35 

Bantam,  vi ;  Lancaster  at,  99  ;  trade. 


50i 


INDEX. 


100  ;  factor  left  ;it,  101  ;  "  Dragon" 
at,  109  ;  ships  at,  216,  217  ;  ware- 
house built  at,  218  ;  death  of  Sir  H. 
Middleton  at,  260  ;  death  of  Cap- 
taiu  Downton,  227  (w) 

Barbatiere,  M.  de,  captain  of  a  French 
ship  of  Caen,  succoured  Lancaster, 
20,  29,  32,  34 

Bai-ker,  Lieutenant  Edmund,  i,  ii  ; 
lands  on  the  Malacca  coast,  1 1  ;  sent 
to  keep  a  Portuguese  prize,  13  ; 
lands  at  St.  Helena,  17  ;  lands  on 
Mona  Isle,  21  ;  came  home  in  a 
Diei:)pe  ship,  23,  31  ;  vice-admiral 
in  the  Pernambuco  voyage,  37,  43  ; 
death,  54 

Barker,  Richard,  boatswain  of  the 
"Hoseander",  killed  in  action,  237 

Basse,  William,  journal  of  in  the 
"  London",  274 

Batavia,  274 

Bee,  E.LC.  ship,  268 

Belfast,  E.  I.e.  ship,  276 

Beloule,  on  the  Abyssinian  coast,  182, 
184 

Bengala,  9,  85 

Bengali  Merchant,  E.LC.  ship,  274 

Benjamin,  E.LC.  ship,  275 

Bennett,  Walter,  captain  of  the  "  Ann", 
270 

Bermuda,  20,  33  ;  shipAvreck,  32,  33 

Best,  Captain  Thomas,  commander  of 
the  tenth  E.LC.  voj^age,  xiv,  228  ; 
his  "  Articles"  for  the  voyage,  228 
to  233  ;  his  speech  on  board  the 
"  Hoseander",  234  ;  action  with  the 
Portuguese  fleet,  236,  237  ;  consults 
his  crews,  239  ;  aid  to  the  Mogul 
army  in  Katiwar,  241  ;  receives  a 
firman  at  Surat  for  E.LC.  trade, 
246  ;  speech  about  division  of  plun- 
der, 247  ;  interview  with  the  King 
of  Achin,  249  ;  conversation  -with 
the  Siamese  ambassador  at  Achin, 
249 

Be^'nen,  Lieutenant  Koolenaus,  of  the 
Dutch  navy,  his  account  of  Oliver 
Brunei,  xxi 

Bickley,  John,  his  journal  in  the 
"  Hart",  270 

Birkedell,  James,  his  journal  in  the 
" London",  273 

Biskainer,  a  prize,  38 

Biskell,  John,  captain  of  the  "  Dis- 
covery", 272 

Blackwall,  ii,  xii,  56 

Blanco,  Cape,  1,  36,  37,  38,  I') 

Blessing,  E.LC.  ship,  271,  272 

Blitli,  Captain  Richard,  of  the  "'  Hart", 
269 


Boca  del  Dragon,  29 

Bonnell,  John,  journal  of,  275 

Bonnell,  Captain  Stephen,  of  Lime, 
brings  aid  to  Captain  Downton  at 
Waterford,  275 

Boothby,  Henry,  hostage  at  Surat,  195 

Borden,  John,  journal  on  board  the 
"  Clove",  267 

Borneo,  219 

Bowers,  Captain  John,  journal  of,  274 

Bradshaw,  Mr.  Samuel,  merchant  in 
the  union,  146,  161  ;  journaJ,  xi 

Braddyk,  Captain,  of  E.LC.  shijj, 
"  King  William",  277 

Bragge,  Richard,  journal  in  the 
"Moon",  268 

Brand,  Captain  W.,  of  the  "  Ascen- 
sion", iv,  51  ;  slain,  69 

Brazil  coast,  2 

Braua  Isle,  37 

Bringa,  a  village  30  leagues  north  of 
Cape  Comorin  (?),  247 

Broadbent,  William,  journal  in  the 
"  Holdwell",  273 

Brownell,  Oliver  {see  Brunei) 

Brunei,  Oliver,  xix  ;  history  of,  xx  ; 
finished  Cajjtain  Knight's  journal, 
293  (n.) 

BuU,  E.LC.  ship,  268,  270  ;  ship  be- 
longing to  the  King  of  Bantam,  275 

Burgess,  Robert,  master  of  the  "  For- 
tune", 270 

Burnil  Cape,  in  Greenland,  xix 

Burre,  Margaret,  daughter  of  Sir  Henry 
Middleton,  v 

Burre,  Walter,  printer  of  Sir  Henry 
Middleton's  voyage,  v 

Burrell,  Caj^tain  John,  visits  Captain 
Downton  at  Waterford,  225 

Buona  Esperanza,  Cajje,  2,  4,  16,  17, 
25,  28,  65,  105,  264,  265,  270 

Caen,   a  ship  for,  in  the  West  Indies, 

20,  29,  32,  34 
Caicos  passage,  23 
Calicut,  26,  27,   181  ;  cargo  of  a  ship 

of,  201 
Cambay,   187,  196,  241  ;  "Ascension" 

wrecked  in  Gulf  of,  xi,  128 
Camerat  or  Cameran,  173,  184 
Cauarie,  Islands,  1,  25,  36,  59 
Cannicam,  on  coast  of  Arabia,  165 
Canning,   Mr.    Paul,  factor    at   Surat, 
233  ;  account  of   233  (n)  ;  his  news 
of  the  Portuguese  fleet,   234  ;  reads 
prayers  on  board  the  "  Hoseander", 
235  ;  at  the  Mogul  camp  in  Kati- 
war, 240  ;  courageous  speech  to  the 
Mogul  general,    244  ;    his  gallantry 
in  action  with  the  Portuguese,  244  ; 


INDEX. 


305 


to    convej'  prescuts  to  Agoa,    246  ; 

news  from  at  Agra,  '252 
Cape  Blanco,  1,  3G,  37,  40 
• Comorin,  9,  10,  184,  199,  208, 

247 

— -  Dorfu,  116 

Guardefui,  166 

Saiut  Augustine,  40,  61,  111 

Sau  Nicolas,  31 

Sebastian,  65 

Verde,  1,  37,  145,  147,  152 

Tiberon,  20,  30 

Cape  of  Good  Hope  {see  Buona  Espe- 

ranza).  Captain   Downton's  account 

of  the  country  at,  158 
Cardu  Island,  70  (one  of  the  Maldives) 
Carolina,  E.I.C.  ship,  274 
Carribas  Isles,  163 
Carwaj'den,   an  Englishman    drowned 

in  Cochin  China,  267 
Cavendish,  Captain,  report  on  Sierra 

Leone,  113 
Chagos  Isles,  70 
Chambers,  E.I.C.  ship,  275 
Chambers,  John,  quartermaster  of  the 

"  Trade's    Increase",   sent  on  shore 

with  a  flag  of  truce,  175 
Charles,  E.I.C.  ship,  268,  278 
Charles  II.,  E.I.C.  ship,  275 
Chidley     (or     Chudleigh),    John,    his 

voyage,  19  («) 
Childe,  Alexander,  journal  on  board 

the  "  James",  265 
China,  vi,  9 

Christian  II.  of  Denmark,  xx 
Christian  Caj^e,  in  Greenland,  xviii 
Christian's  Fjord,  xix 
Christopher,  E.I.C.  ship,  271 
Choul,  123,  186,  198,  199 
Chiidleigh  {see  Chidley) 
Cirne  Isle,  65 
Cloudie  Isles,  21 
Clove,   E.I.C.    ship  of  Captain  Saris, 

xiii,  200  ;  journal  on  board,  267 
Coaster,  E.I.C.  ship,  273 
Coatsworth,    Captain,  journal    iu    the 

"Julia",  277  ; 

Cochin,  16,  123  ;  .ship  of,  taken  by  Sir 

Henry  Middleton,  198 
Cochin  China,  266,  267 
Cockin  Sound,  in  Greenland,  xix 
Cocks,  Mr.,  merchant  in  Saris'   fleet, 

207 
Coia,  Nazan  of  Surat,  191,  192,  194, 

195 
CoUenson,    George,    carpenter     sixth 

voyage,  opinion  of  the  seaworthiness 

of  the  "  Trade's  Increase",  220 
Colthurst,  Captain  of    the  "  Hector", 

second  voyage,  v 


Comorin,  Cape,  9,  10,  184,  199,  208, 
247 

Comoro  Island,  Lancaster  waited  for 
Captain  Raymond  at,  4,  6,  26  ;  Wil- 
liam Mace  slain  at,  6,  21  ;  Sharpeigh 
at,  121,  126 

Company  {see  East  India) 

Complain,  Mr.,  chaplain  in  the  tentli 
voyage,  245 

Concord,  E.I.C.  ship,  273 

Consent,  ship  iu  the  Pernambuco 
voyage,  35  ;  in  the  third  voyage 
with  David  Middleton,  xi,  108 

Cojienhagen,  xviii,  xix 

Cork,  225 

Cornej',  Mr.  Bolton,  editor  of  Sir 
Henry  Middloton's  voyage,  v  ;  his 
remark  on  the  method  of  abridging 
adopted  by  Purchas,  vii 

Cotton,  Captain,  death  at  Pernambuco, 
54 

Cox,  Captain  Robert,  cruising  to  re- 
lieve homeward-boundei-s(1688),  275 

Crosby,  Henry,  his  journal  on  board 
the  "  Charles",  268 

Crosse,  Ralph,  purser  in  the  "  Hose- 
ander"  on  the  tenth  voyage,  journal, 
xiv,  228,  265  ;  met  by  Mr.  Dods- 
worth  at  the  Cape,  exploring,  265 

Cumberland,  Earl  of,  adventurer  of 
the  East  India  Company,  iii  ;  sold 
his  ship,  "  Malice  Scourge",  to  the 
Company,  iv 

Cunningham,  Captain,  commander  of 
Danish  expeditions  to  Greenland, 
xviii,  xix 

Cunningham,Mount,  in  Greenland,xviii 

Dabul,  ship  of,  at  Mocha,  177  ;  E.I.C. 
fleet  at,  197,  199,  200 

Daman,  fleet  of  the  tenth  voyage  at,  238 

Dame,  Robert,  master  of  the  "  Richard" 
(20  tons,  employed  exploring  at  the 
Cape),  270 

Darling,  E.I.C.  ship  in  the  sixth 
voyage,  xii,  145,  149  ;  leaves  Aden 
for  Mocha,  169  ;  attempt  to  surprise 
her,  174  ;  sent  to  Mocha  for  news, 
177  ;  sent  to  Beilol,  182  ;  escape  of 
Sir  Henry  Middleton  to,  180  ;  sent 
to  Socotra,  200  ;  sent  to  Tiku,  206, 
208  ;  deaths  on  board,  208,  215  ; 
Mr.  Pemberton  to  command,  219  ; 
careened,  221 

Davies,  David,  journal  of,  in  the  "  Dis- 
covery", 271 

Davis,  Bartholomew,  carpenter  of  the 
"  Trades  Increase",  sent  to  buy 
timber  at  Surat,  194 

Davis,  John,  the  Arctic  navigator,  ii  ; 
X 


306 


INDEX. 


l)ills  of  adventure  for,  iii  ;  chief  pilot 
of  the  first  E.I.C.  voyage,  84  ;  sail- 
ing directions  by,  260  ;  with  Sir  E. 
Michelborne,  death,  vi 

Davy,  John,  master  of  the  "James"  in 
the  ninth  voyage,  his  journal,  xiv 

Defence,  E.I.C.  ship,  267,  274 

Delishi,  in  Socotra,  117  ;  the  only  safe 
port  in  the  island,  119,  185 

Denmark,  expeditions  sent  to  Green- 
land by,  xviii 

Diamond,  E.I.C.  ship,  268 

Diego  Rodriguez  I.sle,  65 

Dieppe,  shiiJ  of,  22 

Discovery,  journal  of  J.  Yian  in,  271, 
272 

Diu,  121,  123,  128,  150,  185  ;  ship  of, 
seized  at  Mocha  by  Sir  Henry  Middle- 
ton,  181  ;  sailing  directions  to  from 
Socotra,  265 

Dodsworth,  Edward,  his  journal,  xv, 
265 ;  goes  to  Ahmedabad  to  buy 
indigo,  265  ;  meets  Crosse  at  the 
Cape,  265 

Dolphin,  E.I.C.  ship,  270 

Dorfu,  Cape,  116 

Dorril,  John,  captain  of  the  "  Charles 
II.",  275 

Downton,  Cajitain  Nicholas,  second  in 
command  of  the  sixth  E.I.C.  voyage, 
xii,  XV,  143,  152,  153;  his  journal, 
xii,  263  ;  his  account  of  the  country 
at  the  Cape,  158,  159  ;  disputes 
with  his  officers  about  pro^^sions, 
164;  his  proceedings  at  Aden,  170, 
171  ;  goes  to  Mocha,  172  ;  letter  to 
Sir  Henry  Middleton,  175  ;  misun- 
derstanding with  Sir  Henry  Middle- 
ton,  178, 179  ;  attempts  tocrosss  the 
bar  at  Surat,  187  ;  blockades  Aden, 
200  ;  sent  to  buy  pepper  in  Sumatra, 
209  ;  condition  of  his  ship,  212  to 
214  ;  sails  for  England,  221  ;  at 
Waterford,  223 ;  in  prison  at  Dun- 
cannon,    226  ;    end    of  his    voyage, 

226  ;  subsequent  career  and  death, 

227  (n) 

Douglas,  Mr.,  supercargo  of  the 
"Macclesfield",  his  journal  (1699), 
276 

Dragon,  on  the  first  E.I.C.  voyage,  iv, 
V,  57 ;  Lancaster's  ship,  58,  99  ; 
Captain  Keelinge's  ship  in  the  third 
voyage,  viii,  ix,  108,  109,  111,  113  ; 
loses  her  anchors,  112  ;  in  the  tenth 
voyage,  2'^4  ;  action  with  the  Por- 
tuguese fleet,  236  ;  speech  of  Cap- 
tain Best  on  board,  239  ;  second 
action  with  Portuguese,  343  ;  insub- 
ordinate conduct  on  boar<l,  249  ;  ex- 


tracts from  journal  kept  on   board, 

2G5  ;  Shakespeare's  plays  acted   on 

board,  ix 
Drake,   Sir   Francis,  report  on  Sierra 

Leone,    113  ;    stone    set   up    by   at 

Sierra  Leone,  114 
Drugs,  samples  of  at  Socotra,  116 
Duffield,    Captain    Henry,    of    E.I.C. 

ship  "  Trumbull",  277 
Duncannon,  conduct  of  the  captain  of 

fort  at,  to  Captain  Downton,  224, 

226 

Eagle,  E.I.C.  ship,  269,  271,  273 

East  India  Company,  formed,  ii,  57  ; 
first  fleet  sails,  iii,  58  ;  grant  of 
charter,  iii  ;  Sir  Thomas  Smith  the 
first  governor,  iii  ;  the  journals  and 
other  documents  of  entrusted  to 
Haklu)^:,  vi  ;  despatch  of  Arctic 
ex^^editions  by,  x\ii,  xx  ;  grant  of 
firman  to,  244,  245 

Edward  Bonaventure,  Lancaster's  ship 
in  his  first  voyage,  4,  13,  26 

Elizabeth,  Queen,  approval  of  the  first 
East  India  voyage,  ii ;  grant  of  a 
charter  to  the  Company,  iii  ;  her 
letter  to  the  King  of  Achin,  78  ; 
King  of  Achin's  letter  to,  95 

Elizabeth,  E.I.C.  ship,  268  ;  log  of, 
270 

Elkington,  Captain,  his  journal,  xv 

Elsraore,  Richard, death  of, at  Sana,  176 

Erie,  Captain  William,  of  the  "  Samp- 
sou",  275 

Eskimo,  xix 

Esmond,  Sir  Lawi'ence,  releases  Cap- 
tain Downton  from  the  fort  of  Dun- 
cannon,  226 

Evans,  George,  seized  by  an  alligator, 
112 

Exchange,  E.I.C.  ship,  269 

Expedition,  E.I.C.  ship,  xiii,  268 

Factors  (see  Femell,  Canning,  Starkej', 
Finch),  101,  160  ;  disputes  of  ^\ith 
Captain  Dc)wnton,  163  ;  detained  at 
Aden,  170  ;  deaths  of  on  board  the 
"  Darling",  208  ;  at  Surat,  233  ;  at 
Bantam,  101 

Falcon,  E.I.C.  .ship,  273 

Falmouth,  34 

Farewell,  Cape,  256  {n.) 

Fartak,  King  of,  in  Arabia,  1('5 

Fayal,  223 

Felix,  M.,  captain  of  a  Dieppe  ship,  22 

Femell,  Lawrence,  factor  in  the  sixth 
voyage  with  Sir  H.  Middleton,  in- 
structions to,  xii,  131  to  136,  263  ; 
he  lands  at  Socotra,  164  ;  at  Mocha, 


INDEX. 


307 


173,  174  ;  ret'usos  to  try  to  escape, 
his  unwieldy  fatness,  181  ;  his 
death,  150,  182 

Fenn,  Nathauiel,  condemned  at  Achin 
for  mutiny,  202 

Fenn,  Antonio,  his  journal  in  the 
"  Eagle",  273 

Fernambuck  (see  Pernambuco ) 

Fernando  Noronha  Isle,  113 

Finch,  William,  journal  of  third 
voyage,  viii  ;  residing  at  Surat,  128  ; 
letter  from  at  Lahore,  18(J 

Firando,  xiii,  206,  2(37,  270 

Firman  of  trade  for  the  East  India 
Company  not  arrived  at  Surat,  244  ; 
arrival  and  reception  of,  245 

Fitzherbert,  Captain,  of  the  "  Ex- 
change", 269 

Fleet  Frigate,  E.I.C.  ship,  267 

Floris,  Peter  Williamson,  a  Dutchman, 
journal  of,  xiii,  263  ;  founded  a 
factorj'  ab  Masulipatam,  195 

Flying  Eagle,  E.I.C.  ship,  274 

Fogo  Lsle,  107 

Furder,  llichard,  journal  kept  on  board 
the  "  Palsgrave",  273 

Fortune,  E.I.C.  shiji,  Robert  Burgess, 
master,  270 

Fowler,  Mr.  J.,  sent  to  Sana,  147, 176  ; 
at  Aden,  169;  joins  the  "Trade's 
Increase",  200  ;  his  death,  208 

Fox,  Robert,  his  journal  in  the  "  Royal 
James",  271 

Fraine,  Hugh  (or  Traiue  ?   whom  see) 

French  ships  in  the  West  Indies,  aid 
to  Lancaster  and  his  shipwrecked 
crew,  22  to  24,  30  to  34  ;  at  Per- 
nambuco, 45 

Frost,  Danish  Arctic  ship,  xviii 

Gardafui,  Cape,  166 

Geffe,    George,   sent   to   the    King  of 

Rohela    (Raheta  ?)    with     presents, 

179  ;    in   command    of  the  pinnace 

"Relief",  sixth  voyage,  162 
GifFord,  captain  of  the  ship  "  Sidney", 

journal,  275 
Glaufield,  F.,   merchant  on  board  the 

"  Darling",  his  death,  208 
Glascock,  Mr.  Philliii,  sent  by  Caj^tain 

Sharpeigh  to  Sana,    122,  127  ;  sent 

to  Mocha,  123 
Glenham,  Thomas,  death  of,  217 
Globe,  E.I.C.  ship,  xii,  253 
Goa,  9,  13,  27,  233,  247 
Gogo,  191 

Golding,  Rainold,  his  death,  11 
Gomberoon,  recommended  as  a  place 

for  English  trade,  268 
Gomes  Pulo  Isle,  10 


Goodfellow,  W.,  journal  in  the  "King 

William",  277 
Gordon,   Mr.,  of  the  "Ascension",  150 
Grant,    John,   journal  in    the    "  Mary 

Royall",  272 
Great  Thomas,  E.I.C.  ship,  271 
Green,   Benjamin,  factor  in  the  "  iJar- 

Img",  200 
Greenland,  Danish  expedition  to,  xviii 
Guest,  a  victualler  for  the  iirst  E.I.C. 

voyage,  iv,  58  ;  discharged,  61 
Gujerat  ship.s,  117,  118,  121,  127,  165, 

251 
Gungomar  Bay,  in  Madagascar,  161 

Haddock,  Captain  Joseph,  his  journal, 
274 

Hakluyt,  Richard,  assisting  in  fitting 
out  the  first  E.I.C.  voyage,  iii  ; 
charge  of  E.I.C.  documents  en- 
trusted to,  vi  ;  death,  vii 

Hall,  Captain,  in  Danish  expeditions  to 
Greenland,  xviii,  xix  ;  killed  by 
Eskimos,  xix 

Hall,  Master  John,  death  of,  4 

Hall,  Daniel,  journal  in  the  "  Hope- 
well", 272 

Halladaye,  Wm.,  the  second  governor 
of  the  E.I.  Company,  271 

Hamlet,  play  of,  acted  on  board  Cap- 
tain Keeliuge's  ship  at  Sierra  Leone, 
ix 

Hammond,  Henry,  captain  of  the 
"  Antelope",  276 

Hampshire,  E.I.C.  ship,  276 

Haudcock,  Mr.,  of  the  State  Paj^er 
Office,  acknowledgment  of  assistance 
from,  xvii 

Harding,  Captain  John,  journal  of, 
274 

Hart,  E.I.C.  ship  in  the  fleet  under 
Cajjtain  Shilling,  268,  269,  270,  272 

Hawkins,  captain  of  the  "  Hector"  in 
the  third  E.I.C.  voyage,  viii,  ix, 
111,  213,  263  ;  journal  abridged  in 
Purchas,  viii ;  he  lands  in  Madagas- 
car, 112  ;  his  name  carved  on  a  stone 
at  Sierra  Leone,  114  ;  said  to  be  in 
great  favour  at  Agra,  129,  1 32,  139  ; 
letters  from  for  Sir  Henry  Middle- 
ton,  186 ;  letter  from,  195  ;  em- 
barks on  board  the  "  Trade's  In- 
crease, 195  ;  at  Bantam,  218 

Hearn,  John,  journal  of  the  third 
voyage,  viii 

Heath,  Cap)tain  W.,  his  journal,  274 

Hector.  E.I.C.  ship,  on  the  first  voyage, 
iv,  56  ;  Sir  H.  Middletou's  ship  on 
the  second  voyage,  58,  99,  103  ;  on 
the  third  voyage,  viii,  ix,    108,   109, 


308 


INDEX. 


Ill  ;  in  Captain  Saris's  lieet,  xiu, 
200  ;  homeward  bound,  216,  217, 
221  ;  at  Saldauha  Bay,  222,  266 

Hermon,  Captain,  in  the  tenth  voyage, 
243  ;  tortures  some  Banians,  240 

Herrod,  Thomas,  master's  mate  of  the 
"  Peppercorn",  transferred  to  the 
"Trade's  Increase",  164,  200,  215 

Heyward,  John,  captain  of  the  "  Su- 
san" in  the  first  voyage,  58 

Hinde,  E.I.C.  ship,  273 

Hinton,  Mr.  customer  of  Waterfbrd, 
offers  to  lend  money  to  Captain 
Downton,  225 

Hippon,  Captain  Anthony,  on  seventh 
voyage,  xii  ;  news  of  his  death,  253 

Hodgkiues,  James,  his  journal  in  the 
"  Concord",  273 

Holland,  ships  of  at  Pernambuco,  40, 
41  ;  dealing  with,  44  ;  merchants  at 
Acliin,  74  ;  dealing  of,  with  Caj^taiu 
Keelinge,  110  ;  fleet  at  Saldanha 
Bay,  154  ;  ships  at  Bantam,  216  ; 
no  success  for  English  where  Dutch 
have  a  footing,  219 

Homfray,  Mr.,  his  account  of  the 
"  strange  tree"  at  the  Nicobars,  73 

Hope,  E.I.C.  ship,  265,  266,  268 

Hopewell,  E.I.C.  ship,  272,  273  ;  Cap- 
tain Knight's  Arctic  ship,  xx,  281  (w) 

Hoseander,  E.I.C.  ship,  in  the  tenth 
voyage,  xiii,  228  ;  Captain  Best's 
speech  and  prayers  on  board,  235  ; 
action  with  Portuguese  fleet,  236, 
237  ;  boatswain  killed,  237  ;  second 
action  with  Portuguese,  243  ;  Cajj- 
tain  Best's  second  speech  on  board, 
247  ;  insubordinate  conduct  of  men, 
249  ;  goes  to  an  island  near  Achin 
for  wood,  251  ;  goes  to  Tiku,  260  ; 
sent  to  Priaman,  260  ;  to  Bantam, 
261  ;  in  a  storm  on  voyage  to  Ban- 
tam, 261  ;  extracts  from  journal  of 
voyage,  265 

Hounsel,  Thomas,  in  the  tenth  voyage, 
in  charge  of  a  prize,  251 

Hudson,  John  and  Robert,  journal  in 
the  sliip  "  Belfast",  276 

Hull,  Arctic  expedition  from,  xix 

Ice,  first  met  by  Captain  Knight,  286, 
287  ;  trouble  with  drift  ice,  288  ; 
moored  to  an  iceberg,  289  ;  misery 
in  the,  290  ;  footprints  found  on  an 
icefloe,  290 

Jadow,  Captain  Hawkins's    lnoker  at 

Surat,  189,  190,  195 
James,  E.I.C.  sliip,   xiv  ;  at   Bantam, 

216  ;    in    the    tenth    vt)yage,    228  ; 


journal  of  Alex.  Childe  on  board, 
256,  271 

James  Royal,  in  the  seventh  Joint 
Stock  voyage,  2G7,  271 

Japan,  v,  xi,  xii,  7,  266 

Jask,  265,  268 

Java,  99 

Jeddah,  iiilgrims  to,  203 

Jefi'er  Bashaw,  of  Yemen,  173  ;  nego- 
tiations with,  182 

Jennison,  Archibald,  xv,  206  ;  journal 
of,  268 

Jewell,  E.I.C.  ship,  273 

Johore,  war  with  Achin,  251,  255 

Jonas,  E.I.C.  shij),  270,  271 

Jones,  T.,  journal  of  voyage  in  the 
"  Ascension",  x 

Jouson,  John,  master  of  the  "  Rose", 
270,  271 

Josejih,  Mr.  Benjamin,  from  Bristol, 
brings  money  and  provisions  to 
Waterford  for  Captain  Downton, 
226 

Josiah,  E.I.C.  ship,  276 

Jourdain,  Mr.  J.,  sent  by  Captain 
Sharpeigh  to  Sana,  122,  127  ;  ex- 
pected at  Surat  from  Agra,  186  ; 
reaches  Sir  H.  Middleton's  ship, 
189  ;  sent  to  Tiku,  210,  214 

Julia,  E.I.C.  ship,  277 

Junsaloam.  14  (or  Junk  Seylon) 

Katiwar,  240 

Keelinge,  Captain  W.,  Shakespeare's 
plays  acted  in  ship  of,  ix  ;  journals 
of,  viii,  265  ;  captain  of  the  "  Susan" 
in  the  second  voyage,  v  ;  com- 
manded the  third  voyage,  108,  113, 
263  ;  notice  of,  108  (w)  ;  visited 
Banda,  109 ;  dealings  with  Hol- 
landers, 109  ;  set  up  a  stone  at 
Sierra  Leone  with  names  and  date, 
114  ;  landed  at  Socotra,  116,  117  ; 
left  a  letter  at  Socotra,  118,  125  ; 
his  sailing  directions  for  the  Su- 
matrau  coast,  260 

Kendal,  Abraham,  commander  of  the 
"  Merchant  Royal"  in  the  first 
voyage,  4  ;  leaves  a  man  on  St. 
Helena,  17 

Kerle,  John,  captain  of  the  "  Maccles- 
field", 276 

Kerslake,  Mr.,  bookseller  at  Bristol, 
journal  of  Cajjtaiu  Saris  sold  by  to 
the  War  Office,  xiii 

Keshin  in  Arabia,  165  (n) 

Kilvert,  Captain  Roger,  of  the  "  Con- 
cord" (1659),  273 

King  William,  E.I.C.  ship,  277 

Knight,  Captain,  in  Danish  exjicditiou 


INDEX. 


■•m 


to    Greenland,    xviii  ;     journal    of 
voj'agc  to  seek  the  north-west  pas- 
sage, XX,  281  ;  loss  of,  xxi,  293 
Knight  islands,  xix 

Labrador,  291  (n) 

Lagima  in  the  West  Indies,  31 

Lahore,  Mr.  Finch  at,  186 

Lanuaret,  E.I.C.  ship,  273 

La  Noe,  captain  of  a  French  ship,  23 

Lancaster,  Sir  James,  account  of,  i  ; 
dii-ector  E.I.C,  iii,  iv  ;  his  manu- 
scripts lost,  vii  ;  his  first  voyage,  1  ; 
kUls  an  antelope,  4  ;  captain  of  the 
"Edward",  4  ;  lauds  on  the  coast  of 
Malacca,  11  ;  takes  a  Portuguese 
prize,  11  ;  lands  on  Mona  Island,  21  ; 
went  on  board  a  French  shijj  and 
came  home  in  her,  23  ;  lands  a"t  Rj'e, 
24  ;  in  command  of  the  Pernambuco 
voyage,  26  ;  sjieech  of,  37  ;  cajjture 
of  the  port  of  Pernambuco,  42,  43  ; 
in  command  of  the  first  E.I.C. 
voyage,  ii,  58  ;  his  letter  to  Mr. 
Skynner,  58  (n)  ;  interview  with  the 
Iviiig  of  Achin,  75  ;  negotiations  at 
Achin,  81,  253  ;  his  letter  to  the 
directors  in  case  of  shipwreck,  104  ; 
return  home,  107 

Lancaster,  Dr.,  Bishop  of  Waterford, 
his  kindness  to  Captain  Downton, 
225 

Lancaster  Sound,  name  given  by 
Baffin,  i 

Law,  Mr.  Abraham,  his  death  on  board 
the  "  Peppercorn",  223 

Ledger,  Captain  E.,  of  the  "  Samp- 
son", 274 

Legar,  John,  of  Bury,  found  on  the 
island  of  St.  Helena,  17 

Lesly,  Captain  John,  journal  of,  in  the 
"  Neptune",  276 

Lesser,  James,  E.I.C.  ship,  270 

Lindenow,  captain  in  the  Danish  ser- 
vice, voyages  to  Greenland,  xviii, 
xix 

Lion,  E.I.C.  ship,  270 

Littleton,  Sir  E.,  president  in  Bengal, 
276  _ 

Lloyd,  Captain  John,  journal  in 
"  Nassau",  275 

London,  E.I.C.  ship  commanded  by 
Captain  Shilling,  268,  272  ;  James 
Birkedell's  journal  in,  273,  276 

Longitude,  Baffin's  calculations  for,  xix 

Love,  Thomas,  master's  mate  in  the 
sixth  voyage,  his  journal,  xii,  147 
(n),  263  ;  transferred  to  the  "Trade's 
Increase",  153 

Luckland,  John,  31 


LuS'kin,  "  Honest  John",   murder    of, 

123 
Luisa,  a  shii>of  Dieppe,  22 
Lyon,  Danish  Arctic  ship,  xvLi 

Macclesfield,   E.I.C.  galley,  invoice  of 

goods,  276 
Mace,  William,  of  RadclifFe,  slain,  6, 

26  ;  his  former  history,  xxii 
Madagascar  (or  St.   Lawrence  Island), 

X,  5,  26,   65,  102,   160  ;  account  of 

the  people,  112  (see  Antomgil) 
Madras,  E.I.C.  ship,  275 
Madefraband,  Captain  Best's  fleet  at, 

239 
Maio,  38,  108,  111,  113,  120 
Malacca,  9,  11,  14,  27,  91 
Makliva  Isles,  16 
"  Malice  Scourge",  former  name  of  the 

"  Dragon",  iv 
Malucos,  13  (see  Moluccas) 
Mamale  Isles,  10 
Manangcabo  in  Sumatra,  98 
Manilla,  270 
Margabra  (see  Asab) 
Marlowe,    commander    of    the    ninth 

E.I.C.  voyage,  xiii,  209  (n),  216,  218 
Marriatt,     George,     journal     in     the 

"  Charles"  272 
Martaban,  12,  16 
Marten,    Nathaniel,    journal    of    the 

seventh  E.I.C.  voyage,  xii 
Martoll,  Abraham,  his  journal.  274 
Mary,  E.I.C.  ship,  272,  273 
Mary  Royall,  272 
Massingberd,  E.I.C.  ship,  274 
Masulipatam,  x,  195,  264 
Mathew,  Richard,  journal  with  .sketches 

(1644),  273 
Matthew,    Captain  George,  voyage  in 

the  "  London",  276 
May,  Henry,  his  account  of  Lancaster's 

first  voyage,  i 
Medeiofer,  an  officer  at  Surat,  245 
Melinda,  8,  26 
Mellecamber  (see  Nahuda) 
Merchant    Royal,    ship    in    the    first 

voyage,  4 
Merchant  Hope,  E.I.C.  sliij),  xv 
Merchandise  (see  Trade)  great  stores  at 

Pernambuco,  83 
Merry,   John,    captain    of  the  "  Fleet 

Frigate",  276 
Michel  borne.  Sir  C,  recommended  to 

command    the   first    E.I.C.  voyage, 

ii ;  his  own  voyage,  v  ;  misconduct,  vi 
Middleton,  David,  voyage,  xi  ;  with  his 

brother  Henry,  v ;  safe  arrival  home, 

209 
Middleton,  John,  vice-admiral  in  the 


310 


INDEX. 


first  E.I.C.  voyage,  ii,  58  ;  director, 
iii ;  sent  to  the  King  of  Achin,  74, 
99  ;  death,  101 

Middleton,  Sir  Henry,  knighted,  v  ; 
manuscripts  lost,  vii  ;  meets  the 
Union,  x,  161;  in  the  first  E.I.C.  voy- 
age, sent  to  Priaman  in  the  "  Susan", 
84;  at  Bantam,  99  ;  commission  to 
for  the  sixth  voyage,  137  to  144, 
263  ;  sails,  v,  xi,  145,  147,  151,  153  ; 
settles  a  question  as  to  supply  of 
wine  for  the  factors,  160  ;  lands  at 
Socotra,  165  ;  at  Aden,  168  ;  atMocha, 
169;  proceedings  at  Mocha,  173;  made 
in'isoner,  174  ;  sent  to  Sana,  176  ; 
misunderstanding  with  Captain 
Downton,  17,  8,  179  ;  his  escape, 
186  ;  seizes  a  ship  of  Diu,  181  ;  re- 
ceives bad  news  from  Surat,  186  ; 
conduct  of  the  Portuguese  to,  187, 
188  ;  arranges  to  proceed  to  Gogo, 
191  ;  return  to  the  Eed  Sea,  200  ; 
at  Dabul,  197  ;  prizes,  203  ;  dis- 
putes with  Captain  Saris,  205,  207  ; 
at  Tiku,  208,  209  ;  dinner  to  other 
captains  at  Bantam,  218;  leaves 
Tiku  for  Bantam,  209  ;  intended  to 
go  to  Amljoyna  in  the  "  Pepper- 
corn", 219  ;  takes  leave  of  Captain 
Downton,  221  ;  death  of,  221  (?;), 
260 

Mocha,  122,  123,  127  ;  ships  at,  trade, 
]  23  ;  account  of,  124  {see  Middleton, 
Sir  H.)  ;  blockaded  by  Middleton, 
150  ;  Captain  Saris  at,  205  {see 
Regib  Aga) 

Mogul  army  in  Katiwar,  aid  to,  240 

Moluccos,  9  ;  no  hope  of  trade  at,  219 

Mollineux,  Mr.,  master's  mate,  trans- 
ferred to  the  "Peppercorn,  164; 
sent  to  Cork  for  money,  225  ;  sent 
to  London,  2:lQ 

Mona,  Isle  of,  in  the  West  Indies,  20, 
21,  29,  45 

Monck,  Richard,  his  journal  in  the 
"  Great  Thames",  271 

Monden,  John,  journal  in  the  "  Hec- 
tor", XV,  164,  266 

Moon,  E.I.C.  ship,  268,  270 

Moore,  Mr.,  in  the  tenth  E.I.C.  voyage, 
249 

Mozambique,  5,  8,  26 

Muccrab  Khan,  Viceroy  of  Surat,  189, 
193,  194  ;  as  to  allowing  a  factory 
at  Surat,  195,  196  ;  vexatious  con- 
duct of,  265 

Muckrell,  John,  journal  in  the 
"  Coaster",  273 

Mulle  Amore  Eeusaide,  King  of  So- 
cotra, 165 


Muller,  S.,  Dutch  historian,  his  eluci- 
dation of  the  career  of  Oliver 
Brunei,  xx 

Nahuda  Mahumett,  Captain  of  a  Cali- 
cut ship  at  Mocha,  181,  182,  185, 
201 

Nahudas  at  Mocha,  206,  207 

Nain,  on  the  coast  of  Labrador,  xxi, 
291  (m) 

Nassau,  E.I.C.  ship,  275 

Negapatam,  1'^ 

Neptune,  E.I.C  ship,  276 

New  Years'  Gift,   E.I.C.   ship,  xv,  268 

Newell,  Edward,  his  journal  in  the 
"  London",  273 

Newfoundland,  xxi,  20,  23,  293 

Newport,  Captain  Christopher,  xiv 

Nicols,  William,  journey  across  India,  xi 

Nicubar  Isles,  10,  15,  27,  71  ;  strange 
tree  found  on,  72,  73  («) 

Nirapotte,  109 

North-west  passage,  voyages  to  dis- 
cover, xviii,  XX,  281 

Noyer,  Captain,  of  Dieppe,  at  Pernam- 
buco,  45  ;  death  of,  54 

Nueblas  Isles,  21 

Nuno  da  Cunho,  commander  of  the 
Portuguese  fleet  in  action  with  Eng- 
lish fleet  of  the  tenth  E.I.C.  voyage, 
236  ;  a  vain  boast  of,  237 

Olinda,  the  port  of  Pernambuco,  35 

Oliver,  Mr  ,  merchant  of  the  "  Hose- 
ander,  his  visit  to  the  Mogul  camp 
in  Katiwar,  240  ;  at  Achin,  249  ;  at 
Priaman,  261 

Orkney,  Captain  Knight  at,  281 

Ormuz,  123,  199 

Palsgrave,  E.I.C.  ship,  261,  270,  272 

Paria,  Gulf  of,  19,  20 

Pashley,    John,    his    journal    in    the 

"  Hart",  272 
Passaman,  in  Sumatra,    109  («),   209, 

210 
Peacocke,  an  Englishman  drowned  in 

Cochin  China,  267 
Pegu,  9,  11,  12,  14,  27  ;  natives  taken 

home,  17 
Peyton,  Captain  Walter,  takes  Sir  J. 

Roe  to  India,  xv 
Pemba,  116,  121,  126 
Pemberton,  Mr.,  seized  at  Mocha,  148, 

174  ;  his  escape,  146,  149,  175  ;  his 

boy    sent    on     board,    183:     finds 

anchorage   for   the    fleet   at    Surat, 

192  ;  at  Passaman,  210,  214 
Penelope,    ship    in    Lancaster's   first 

voyage,  4,  26 


INDEX. 


311 


Pepper,  12,  84,  98,  100,  109,  209  ; 
price  of,  260 

Peppercorn,  E.I.C.  ship  in  the  sixth 
voyage,  xii  ;  145,  147,  152  ;  left  at 
178  ;  leak  in,  153  ;  obtnin  supplies 
of  wood  at  Cape  Gardafui,  166  ;  at 
Aden,  168  to  171  ;  proceeds  to 
Mocha,  172  ;  carries  away  her  main 
yard,  185  ;  blockades  Aden,  201  ; 
prizes  taken  by,  202,  203  ;  Sir  H. 
Middletou  goes  in  her  to  Bantam, 
201  ;  careened  at  Bantam,  216  ; 
sent  home  in  command  of 
Captain  Downtou,  150,  221  ;  at 
Saldanha  Bay,  222  ;  sails  from 
Waterford,  226  ;  at  Gravesend,  227  ; 
journal  of  the  master  of,  263 

Perak,  12 

Peramiew,  Brazilian  port,  55 

Peregrine,  ship  commanded  by  Cap- 
tain Venuer,  Pernambuco  voyage,  38 

Pernambuco  expedition,  ii,  18,  37  ; 
arrival  at,  40 

Perse,  "William,  journal  of  in  the 
"  Bengal  Merchant",  274 

Pettyman,  Mr.,  at  Bantam,  216 

Phillips,  Richard,  turned  Tui-k,  177 

Pico,  223 

"  Pilgrimes"  of  Purchas,  vii 

Pinder,  Francis,  "  An  evil  member  of 
our  voyage  in  the  '  Peppercorn' ' ', 
223 

Portuguese  prizes,  2  ;  note  on  succes- 
sion to  crown,  7  (n)  ;  dealings  with 
at  Zanzibar,  8  ;  fighting  with  at 
Pernambuco,  47,  48,  49  ;  send  down 
fire  ships,  50,  51  ;  attack  on  defences 
of,  52,  53  ;  wiles  of  at  Achin,  85  to 
89  ;  at  Sierra  Leone,  ix,  114  ;  trade 
of  at  Socotra,  IIH ;  seize  Captain 
Sharpeigh's  pinnace,  128  ;  obstruct- 
ive policy,  130  ;  blockading  Surat, 
186  ;  conduct  to  Sir  H.  Middleton, 
187,  188  ;  engagements  with,  193, 
236,  237,  242,  243,  269  ;  great  fleet 
of  passes  Surat,  196  ;  strong  in  the 
Moluccas,  219 

Potaju,  Brazilian  port,  55 

President,  E.I.C.  ship,  274 

Priaman,  vi  ;  "Susan",  under  H. 
Middleton  sent  to,  84  ;  Lancaster 
goes  to,  98  ;  Keelinge  at,  109 ; 
Best's  desire  to  trade  at,  252  ;  per- 
mission to  found  a  factory  at,  253  ; 
"  Hoseander"  at,  260 

Prickman,  Benjamin,  captain  of  "  Ma- 
dras", 275,  276 

Prin,  Nicholas,  journal  to  Surat  in  the 
"  Charles",  272 

Pring,  Martin,  journal  of,  xv 


Pringle,  Captain  Martin,  commander 
of  the  seventh  joint  stock  voyage, 
267 

Prizes,  Portugal  caravels  captured  by 
Lancaster,  2,  13  ;  Spanish,  taken, 
36 ;  a  Biskainer,  38  ;  Portuguese 
taken  by  Lancaster,  60,  91,  92  ; 
taken  by  Captain  Sharpeigh,  121  ; 
ship  "  St.  Nicholas",  of  Cochin  taken 
by  Sir  H.  Middleton,  197,  198  ; 
taken  by  the  "  Peppercorn",  202, 
203  ;  taken  by  Captam  Best,  247 

Pueblas,  or  Cloudie  Isles,  21 

Puerto  Rico,  21,  29 

Pulo  Gomez,  10 

Pulopansa,  99 

Pulopenjaun,  216,  217,  218,  221 

Pulo  Pinaon,  10,  27 

Pulo  Rhun,  109  (w) 

Pulo  Sambilan,  12 

Punta  de  Galle,  15,  16 

Purchas,  Rev.  Samuel,  journals  of  the 
E.I.C.  voyages  entrusted  to,  his 
"  Pilgrimes",  vii ;  abstracts  of  E.I.C. 
voyages,  s,  xi,  xiii,  xiv  ;  list  of,  xvii 
()()  ;  his  treatment  of  Knight's 
Arctic  journal,  xviii  ;  footnotes,  281 
to  292  ;  his  postscript  to  Knight's 
journal,  xxi,  293 

Quintangone,  5,  26 

Raheta  (Rohela  ?),  King  of,  204 

Raymond,  Admiral,  in  the  Penelope", 
4 

Recife,  port  of  Pernambuco,  40  (h),  42 

Red  Dragon  {see  Dragon) 

Reformation,  E.I.C.  ship,  272 

Regib  Agaw,  of  Mocha,  173  ;  at  Aden 
in  Captain  Sharpeigh's  time,  173  ; 
his  treachery,  174  ;  his  treachery 
ordered  by  the  Pasha  of  Yemen, 
176  ;  begins  to  sing  a  new  song,  180 

Relief,  Sir  H.  Middletou's  pinnace,  182 

Revett,  Mr.  W.,  sent  to  Mocha  by  Cap- 
tain Sharpeigh,  123 

Richard  II.,  play  of,  acted  on  board 
Captain  Keehnge's  ship  at  Sierra 
Leone,  ix 

Richard,  a  small  vessel  to  make  disco- 
veries at  the  Cape,  270 

Richards,  Henry,  his  journal  in  the 
"  Discovery",  571 

Roe,  Sir  Thomas,  xvi 

Roebuck,  E.I.C.  ship  in  Captain 
Shilling's  fleet,  xvi,  268,  269 

Rohela  (Raheta  ?),  King  of,  179 

Roquepez  Isle,  69  (v) 

Rose,  E.I.C.  vessel,  employed  making 
discoveries  at  the  Cape,  270 


312 


INDEX. 


Rowe,  John,  his  journal  in  the  voyage 
of  the  "  ExpecQtion"  to  Jask,  268 

Rowles,  Richard,  captain  of  the 
"  Union",  x 

Royal  James,  E.I.C.  ship,  271 

Ruby,  E.I.C.  ship,  268 

Rundall,  Mr.,  editor  of  "  Nan-atives  of 
Voyages  towards  the  North-west", 
ix ;  his  mention  of  a  passage  in  Cap- 
tain Keelinge's  journal  now  lost,  ix,  x 

Russell,  E.I.C.  frigate,  journal,  275 


Sailing  directions  of  Captain  Davis, 
vi,  260  ;  Captain  Keelinge,  260  ; 
from  Socotra  to  Diu,  265  ;  from 
Batavia  to  Piscadores,  and  Siam  to 
Tonquin,  274 

St.  Lawrence  Island  {see  Madagascar) 

St.  Augustine  Cape,  40,  60,  111 

St.  Augustine  Bay,  112,  116,  146,  147 

St.  Domingo,  20 

St.  Mary  Island,  66 

St.  Nicolas  Cape,  31 

St.  Nicholas,  a  ship  of  Cochin  {see 
Prizes) 

San  Juan  de  Puerto  Rico,  21,  29 

Sant  Tom6,  9,  V-i,  27,  93 

Santa  Helena  Isle,  17,  28,  61,  105,  223, 
264  ;  man  left  on,  17,  28 

Saldanha  (see  Aguada),  61,  62,  62,  63, 
109,  114,  120,  126,  145,  147,  154, 
275  ;  description  of,  154  ;  people  of, 
155  ;  "  Peppercorn"  at,  222 

Salomon  (see  Solomon) 

Sampson,  E.I.C.  ship,  274,  275 

Samuel,  E.I.C.  ship,  272 

Sana,  Mr.  Glascock  at,  122,  227  ;  pasha 
of,  173  ;  Sir  H.  Middleton  at,  175; 
Mr.  Fowler  at,  177 

Sanderbole,  Mr.,  master  of  the  "  Hec- 
tor", 105 

Saris,  Captain  John,  xiii,  200  ;  num- 
ber of  guns  for  his  salute,  204  ;  dis- 
pute with  Sir  H.  Middleton,  205  to 
207  ;  leaves  Mocha,  208  ;  his 
journals,  xiii,  264  (??) 

Sayer,  Edmund,  his  journal,  266  ; 
voyage  to  Cochin  China,  267 

Sayers,  Abraham,  his  journal  in  the 
"  Hopewell",  272 

Scout,  E.I.C.  pinnace,  271 

Scurvy,  4,  61,  113,  222  ;  cure  for,  62 

Sea  Adventure,  Captain  Adams's 
junk,  267 

Sebastian,  Cape,  65 

Sherley,  Sir  Robert,  Persian  ambassa- 
dor, on  voj-age  out,  xiv,  222 

Siam,  266,  274  ;  amVjassador  at  Achin, 
249 


Sickness,  2,  4,  61,  62,  69,  208  (see 
Scur\^ ) 

SierraLeone,  108, 111,11-3,114  ;  Shake- 
si^eare's  plays  acted  at,  ix  ;  stones 
set  up  at,  with  names  of  Drake, 
Cavendiish,  Keelinge,  and  Hawkins, 
114 

Sinan  (see  Sana) 

Shaker  (Arabia),  173 

Shakespeare's  plays  acted  at  Sierra 
Leone  on  board  Captain  Keelinge's 
ship,  ix 

Sharpe,  Nicholas,  journal  in  the 
"  Charles",  272 

Sharpeigh,  Captain  Alexander,  letters 
from  Aden,  xi  ;  in  command  of 
fourth  E.I.C.  voyage,  x,  120,  263  ; 
detained  at  Aden,  122,  127  ;  ship- 
^v^ecked,  128  ;  journey  to  Agra, 
129  ;  embarks  on  board  "Trade's 
Increase",  150  ;  expected  at  Surat 
from  Agra,  186  ;  prevented  from 
embarking  by  the  Portuguese,  188  ; 
succeeds  in  getting  on  board  the 
"Trade's  Increase",  191  ;  goes  to 
Surat  to  meet  Captain  Hawkins, 
195  ;  ill  behaviour  of  his  crew,  213 

Shermall'  Shabender  of  the  Banians 
at  Mocha,  ship  seized  by  Sir  H. 
Middleton,  181  ;  his  visit  to  Sir  H. 
Middleton,  183 

Shilling,  Captain,  fleet  commanded  by, 
xvi,  268,  269  ;  death  of,  269 

Sidney,  E.I.C.  ship,  275 

Skynner,  Mr.,  Lancaster's  letter  to, 
58  (w.) 

Slade,  William,  purser  of  the  "Dis- 
covery", his  journal,  271 

Smith,  Sir  Thomas,  first  governor  of 
the  East  India  Company,  iii ;  en- 
trusts the  ships'  journals  to  Purchas, 
his  death,  vii 

Socotra,  9  ;  ships  of  the  third  voyage 
arrive  at,  126,  127  ;  peojile  of,  117  ; 
trade  of,  118  ;  ships  of  the  sixth 
voyage  at,  164  ;  belongs  to  the  chief 
of  Keshin  in  Aial)ia,  165  (n.) ;  return 
of  Sir  H.  Middleton  to,  185  ;  re- 
marks on  current  in  voyage  to,  from 
India,  199;  the  "Darling"  sent  to, 
200  ;  saiUng  dii-ection  from  Diu  to, 
265 

Solomon,  E.I.C.  ship,  in  the  Per- 
nambuco  voyage,  35,  37,  38 ;  death 
of  cajitain,  54  ;  homeward  bound, 
216,  221  ;  in  the  tenth  E.I.C.  voy- 
age, xiv,  228  ;  in  Joint-Stock  voy- 
age, XV 

Sombrero,  72,  74 

Sophia,  Cape,  in  Greenland,  xix 


INDEX. 


313 


Soto,  Francisco  de,  blockadinic  Surat, 
186,  191  .      " 

South,  CaiJtain  J.,  of  the  "Chambers", 
275 

Southey,Mr.,his  accouut  of  Lancaster's 
Pernambuco  voyage  in  his  Uistory 
of  Brazil,  36  («.) 

Sowso,  Antonio  de,  a  Portuguese 
killed  in  action,  193 

Speed,  William,  a  merchant  in  the 
"  Darling",  his  death  at  Tiku,  208 

Spere,  William,  his  journal,  273 

Spie,  E.I.C.  pinnace,  271 

Staniboul,  177 

Starkey,  Master  William,  factor  of 
Bantam,  101 

Starkey,  Anthony,  to  take  letters  home 
overland,  246 

Starre,  E.I.C.  ship,  271 

Staughton,  J.,  liis  death  on  board  the 
'•Darling",  215 

Stead,  John,  his  journal  in  the  "  Trip- 
likaine",  274 

Stevens,  Thomas,  captain  of  the 
"  Eagle",  273 

Stiles,  Roger,  captain  of  the  "  Ascen- 
sion" in  the  second  voyage,  v 

Stratford,  Anthony,  commander  of  the 
fort  of  Duncannon,  his  treatment  of 
Captain  Downton,  226 

Suez,  179,  180 

Sumatra,  10,  27,  71,  74,  259  {see  Achin, 
Priaman,  Tiku) 

Sunda  Strait,  99 

Surat,  123,  128  ;  arrival  of  Captain 
Sharpeigh  and  shipwrecked  crew, 
128  ;  Mr.  Finch  at,  128  ;  Sir  H. 
Middleton  arrives  off,  150  ;  block- 
ade by  the  Portuguese,  186  ;  pro- 
ceedings at,  188  to  193  ;  trade  at, 
refused,  196  ;  fleet  of  the  tenth 
voj'age  off  the  bar,  233  ;  arrival  of 
the  firman  for  E.I.C.  trade  at,  245 
{see  Muccrab  Khan) 

Susan,  in  the  first  E.I.C.  voyage, 
iv,  V,  58  ;  sent  to  Priaman  in  com- 
mand of  Mr.  Pemberton,  84,  98 

Swally  roads,  190,  191,  196,  199,  238, 
239,  244,  247 

Swan,  Captain  Richard,  of  the  "  Roe- 
buck", journal,  x\-i,  269 

Swanley,  Richard,  captain  of  the 
"Exchange",  his  journal,  269  ;  his 
journal  on  board  the  "Jonas",  270 


Table  Bay,  275 

Table  Mountain,  158 

Tamarida  in  Socotra,  117,  146,  164 

Tanaseri  (Teunasserim),  15 


Taylor,  John,  a  deserter  from  the 
'"  Pei)percorn",  149,  171) 

Tccoa  {see  Tiku) 

Temple,  Richard,  to  go  to  Agra,  246  ; 
deserts  Mr.  Canning,  252 

Tenerifi",  36,  37,  120 

Terry,  Mr.  Thornton's  servant,  198 

Thomas,  E.I.C.  ship,  in  the  fleet  of 
Captain  Saris,  xiii,  200  ;  sent  to  the 
Abesian  coast,  205  ;  at  Tiku,  209  ; 
homeward  bound,  216,  218,  221, 
222  ;  journal  on  board,  276 

Thornton,  Mr.  Giles,  master  of  the 
"Trade's  Increase",  172;  his  report 
of  events  at  Mocha  to  Captain  Down- 
ton,  173  to  175  ;  unable  to  find  an 
anchorage  near  Surat,  191  ;  con- 
fidence of  Captain  Downton  in,  180, 
203,  204;  his  servant  Terry,  198  ;  his 
opinion  as  to  the  sea-worthiness  of 
the  "  Trade's  Increase",  220 

Tiburon,  Cape,  20,  30 

Tiku  (Tecoa),  in  Sumatra,  vi,  109  («.) ; 
Su-  H.  Middleton  at,  "Darling"  sent 
to,  206,  208  ;  "Thomas"  at,  209; 
Mr.  Jourdain  sent  to,  with  presents, 
210  ;  permission  to  Captain  Best  to 
found  a  factory,  253  ;  the  "  Hose- 
ander"  at,  26 

Tilbury  Hope,  108 

Tonquin,  sailing  directions  to,  274 

Topographical  Depot  {see  War  Office) 

Tor  Bay,  59 

Toucy,  Zachariah,  his  journal  on  a 
voyage  to  Madras,  275 

Towerson,  Captain,  in  voyage  of  Saris, 
205  ;  sails  from  Mocha,  207,  222 

Trade,  wares  suitable  for.  in  India,  14  ; 
at  Bantam,  100  ;  at  Socotra,  118, 
166  ;  at  Mocha,  123,  124  ;  in  the 
Red  Sea,  129  ;  most  desirable  com- 
modities for  sending  home  from  In- 
dia, 140  ;  cargo  of  a  ship  from 
Cochin,  198  ;  from  Calicut,  201  ; 
trade  of  Siam,  249 ;  Gomberoon  re- 
commended as  a  place  for,  268  {see 
Pepper  ;  see  Femell's  Instructions) 

Trade's  Increase,  largest  merchant 
ship  ever  built,  xLi  ;  on  the  sixth 
voyage,  145,  147,  150  ;  leaves  Aden 
for  Mocha,  169  ;  gets  on  shore  on  a 
rock,  211  ;  condition  of,  209,  212  ; 
at  Bantam,  216 

Traine,  Mr.  Hugh,  at  Surat,  195  ;  his 
illness  and  death  at  Bantam,  217, 
218 

Trinidada  Island,  18,  29 

Triplicaiue,  E.I.C.  ship,  274 

Trumbull,  E.I  C.  sliip,  277 

Turks  at  Mocha,  their  treachery,  174, 


314 


INDliX. 


175 ;  Sir  H.  Middleton's  demand  for 
compensation  from,  181,  183,  206, 
207  ;  intended  reprisals  on,  184, 
201,  202  ;  Richard  Phillips  turns 
Turk,  177 


Union,  E.I.C.  ship,  under  Captain 
Rowles,  in  the  fourth  voyage,  x,  120, 
126  ;  journal  on  board,  xi  ;  in  the 
Baj'  of  St.  Augustine,  meets  Sir  H. 
Middleton's  fleet,  146,  160,  161 

Uphlett,  Nicholas,  left  at  Surat  as 
security,  195 

Venner,  captain  of  the  "  Peregrine", 
38  ;  serves  under  Lancaster  in  the 
action  at  Pernambuco,  43,  49,  53, 
55,  56 

Verde,  Cape,  1,  37,  145,  147, 152 

Vian,  John,  journal  in  the  "Discovery", 
271, 272 

Virgin,  a  ship  in  the  Pernambuco 
voyage,  35,  37 

Walter,  trumpeter  of  the  "  Pepper- 
corn", sent  on  shore  at  Aden,  168 

War  Office  (Topographical  Depot),  in 
possession  of  the  journal  of  Captain 
Saris,  xiii 

Warden,  Andrew,  journal  in  the  "  Wil- 
liam", 271,  272 

Warneford,  Mr.,  Chaplain  at  Port 
Blair,  his  account  of  the  "strange 
tree"  at  the  Nicobars,  73 

Waterford,  Captain  Downton  at,  224 ; 
discourtesy  of  the  Mayor,  224  ; 
kindness  of  the  Bishop,  225 

Watkins,  Thomas,  one  of  the  "  Ascen- 
sion's" crew,  joins  the  "Trade's  In- 
crease", 190 

Wats,  Alderman  John,  a  setter  forth 
of  the  Pernambuco  voyage,  35 


Wats,  M.,  in  command  of  the  galley, 
in  the  Pernambuco  voyage,  39 

Waymouth,  Captain,  sent  by  the  E.I.C. 
to  discover  the  N.W.  passage,  xviii 

Weddell,  Captain  John,  of  the  "  Ptoyal 
James' ,  271  ;  account  of  his  China 
voyage,  273 

Wehnan,  Thomas,  journal  in  the  "Dis- 
covery", 271 

Welcome,  a  ship  of  Plymouth,  38 

West,  John,  one  of  the  mutinous  crew 
in  Lancaster's  first  voyage,  31 

Whale,  E.I.C.  ship,  -'70 

Wickham,  Richard,  factor  at  Firando, 
MS.  letters  of,  in  the  India  Office, 
xiii 

Wicksteed,  Mr.  Allen,  minister  on 
board  the  "  Peppercorn",  death  of, 
222 

William,  E.I.C.  ship,  271 

Williams,  John,  of  the  "Peppercorn", 
sent  on  shore  at  Aden,  168  ;  at 
Surat,  195  ;  sent  to  Surat  to  get 
permission  to  found  a  factory,  but 
refused,  196 

Wilson,  Captain  John,  journal  of,  275 

Wilson,  Ralph,  his  journal  in  the 
"  Solomon",  xiv 

Wood,  John,  his  journal,  270 

Wood,  master  of  the  "Lesser  James", 
270 

Wyne,  John,  his  journal  in  the  "  Dis- 
covery", 271 


Yemen,  extent  of,  173 
Jaffier  Bashaw) 


Pasha  of  {see 


Zanzibar,  6,  8,  26  ;  people  and  captain 

of  the  "Union"  betrayed  at,  146 
Zeilan,  9,  15,  27 
Zinde  river,  203 
Zocotora  {see  Socotra) 


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